February is National Library Lovers Month which means this
entire winter month is dedicated to those who love to read and appreciate the
smell, feel and overall value of books and the buildings that house and
categorize them.
Libraries give us a place to find our favorite stories and
facts, study for a final exam, or write that research paper. But these
buildings wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the invention of the printing press.
That’s why Tristar Inc. Products review
the invention of the printing press in its latest blog.
The printing press is a machine that allows text and images
to be transferred to paper by means of ink. The use of ink, paper, and movable
type first appeared in China, but printing first became mechanized in Europe during
the mid-15th century thanks to Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of
this historic machine.
Gutenberg’s machine was modeled after the ancient
wine-and-olice press of the Mediterranean area, and it featured a long handle
that was used to turn a heavy wooden screw, which exerted downward pressure on
paper that was laid over the type mounted on a wooden platen.
At a rate of 250 sheets of paper per hour, Gutenberg’s wooden
printing press dominated the printing industry for more than 300 years.
Metal printing presses began to emerge in the late 18th
century. They used steam power and eventually evolved to 19th
century presses which had a large central cylinder that carries the type
successively printed on the paper of four impression cylinders. These machines
can produce up to 8,000 sheets of paper in an hour.
With continuing advancements and the introduction of
electric power, the printing industry has totally changed and books can now be
printed by the thousands. But next time you’re sitting in a library surrounded
by all of those books, just remember how one invention in the 15th
century made it all possible.
Tristar Inc. Products review trending topics and ideas that
have helped lead to awesome creations. Visit our blog again soon to read the
next Tristar Inc. Products review.
