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The beginning of The Book gave me insights into what Gutenberg really did for the world and what his impact on the printing press really is. We always learn in school that Gutenberg invented printing and books when in reality his impact was very different. “Rather he was one of a small group of craftsmen who developed a method of creating durable metal type quickly and consistently.” (Howard 27) I also had never imagined how exhausting working the printing press would be. I thought that this was then invention that made everything easier, but in reality it just made everything possible. It took strength and skill to work the many parts of the press and took dedication from the owners to keep their workers and keep the printing press running.
As the book continues it slowly leads up to what reading is like today and what forms it now occupies. Many changes have been made to the printing press and to the physicality of the book since Gutenberg’s time and admittedly to our benefit. For example, we now have paperbacks, which enabled easy cheap access to books. But there are also changes that I am not as excited to see. For example the lack of physical books now being purchased. I am one of those people that loves to have a physical book in my hands I like to highlight and write things on paper and I like to turn each page with my hands as opposed to with a swipe on a screen or a button. But my preferable way of reading is now rare and how long will it be until books are a specialty, and we are all forced to reading everything on a screen? I hope this doesn't happen soon, I love Barnes and Nobel and the smell of new books and coffee too much to see it gone in my lifetime. But there is also a part of me that knows it is inevitable. This book has caused me to think about the future of books and reading a lot that is something I would never have thought of before. It was interesting to try and look at the future and see how rapidly changing and unpredictable the future of books are.
I couldn't agree more. I really like how you noted that the invention of book and print "is ever changing as it reshapes and reinvents itself to fit the current audience". I hadn't consciously thought of this- how the audience and society changes over time and over the decades and centuries- that is. I agree we will always need and read literature- even though the form may change. This got me thinking, why will we always need literature? One reason I came up with is because literature is the only place that we can actually see inside of the characters head and see what they are really thinking. We don't get to get as close to the characters and we get a different experience through television and other social medias outlets.
ReplyDeleteI also noted Gutenberg's contribution to the printing press in one of my blogs, and we have similar opinions and outlooks on it. I also grew up learning that Gutenberg invented writing and the printing press all the way from elementary school through high school. However, it was interesting to learn that theory is incorrect and to hear about what his true contribution was.
Great post reflecting on the Howard chapters. The book was and remains cutting edge technology, though now books are generally moving into digital forms. Books are and will remain relevant, thought the concept of a "book" is changing. As a physical object books will still be published, but in coming decades most readers will move online. did you tour the new part of the library? No books.
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