The arrival of the printing press in 1440 meant the end of illuminated manuscripts and the freedom of the pen. Thousands of years later, the arrival of eBooks could foreshadow the same for the printing process.
Created in 1971, the electronic book, or eBook, revolutionized the world of physical manuscripts. These books have become extremely accessible in the past decade thanks to their creator Michael Hart, and are still continuing to grow because of his contribution to the eBook world through the Gutenberg project, where over 36,000 books have been converted to free eBooks for the public to read. The name of Hart's project --Gutenberg-- derived from Johannes Gutenberg, the man who changed the process of making a manuscript with his invention of the printing press. With the invention of movable type, Gutenberg “brought the printing process to unprecedented levels of craftsmanship”, creating a more efficient way to spread literature.
Both eBooks and the Printing press share qualities that were quite innovative for their time. The advancement of the printing press meant the end of illuminated manuscripts, unique detailed typeface and skilled and beautiful illustrations. The advancement of the eBook could mean the same for print books. Detailed covers, creativity with different typeface, and the connection the reader has with a physical book could become as rare as the illuminated manuscript. Both the eBook and the printing press took away the physicality and creative freedom of what came before it. However, the switch meant an increase in literacy. And in the case of the printing press, the convenience and efficiency overweighed the need for creativity, and the press soon overtook the manuscript world.
eBooks may soon be taking this direction as well.
During his time with the Gutenberg project, Hart explained: “One thing about eBooks that most people haven't thought much is that eBooks are the very first thing that we're all able to have as much as we want other than air.” This makes eBooks extremely accessible, one factor that sets them apart from Gutenberg and his press and gives eBooks the ability to surpass them. Because books can be quite large and expensive, it can be difficult for many to obtain literature, even with a library card. It is ironic that the once cost-and-material-efficient paper book has become somewhat of a nuisance to many.
Although it may seem that the switch to eBooks will be in the future, there are a large number of people who still prefer print books to the new electronic version. This is mostly due to the ability of print books to offer that hands-on experience and versatility, which makes absorbing the information on the page much easier. Not to mention that print books are easier on the eyes. There are also many who have gained their love of reading through the physical connection that printed books have as well.
With each phase of recordation, the efficient option has always surpassed the other. The third phase of documenting manuscripts has just begun but the debate between eBooks and print still rages on. Although the eBook seems to be the more efficient option, there is a strong devotion towards print books, and it seems like it will be a long while before the eBook can make as much of an impact as Gutenberg's press did in the 1400's.
Sources:
Deam, Jenny. “E-Books vs. Print: What Parents Need to Know.” Scholastic.com, Scholastic, www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/reading-resources/developing-reading-skills/e-books-vs-print-what-parents-need-to-know.html.
Editors, History.com. “Printing Press.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 7 May 2018, www.history.com/topics/inventions/printing-press.
“Free EBooks.” Project Gutenberg, Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page.
Kraft, Amy. “Books vs. e-Books: The Science behind the Best Way to Read.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 14 Dec. 2015, www.cbsnews.com/news/kindle-nook-e-reader-books-the-best-way-to-read/.
Miller, Matthew. “Project Gutenberg Founder and Inventor of the Ebook, Michael Hart, Dies.” ZDNet, ZDNet, 8 Sept. 2011, www.zdnet.com/article/project-gutenberg-founder-and-inventor-of-the-ebook-michael-hart-dies/.
Woodland, Kevin. “The Arrival of Printing.” Graphic Design History. kevinwoodland.squarespace.com/the-arrival-of-printing.
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