Print culture and the modern world
the first printed books
China
Hand printing: skilled craftsmen could duplicate books by the beauty of calligraphy
Wood block printing: from 594 AD, books were printed by pressing paper on inked surfaces of wood blocks. Due to ink bleeding, the paper was folde in zigzags and stitched at he sides to make ‘accordion books.‘
For a long time, the imperial state in China were the major producer of a printed material.
China possesed a huge beuraucratic system the recruited its personnel through civil service examinations. textbooks for these examinations were printed in last numbers under the sponsorship of the imperial state.
From the 16th century, the number of examination candidates went up, causing the increase of volume of print.
As the urban culture in China increased, the uses of print diversified.
Print was used by merchants, readers who prefferd fiction, poetry, auto biographies, anthologies, and romantic plays, rich women who read. Many women started to publish their poetry and plays.
This new reading culture accompanied new technology of western printing technology and mecahnical presses were introduced. Shanghai became the hub of the new prnt culture as it was an import out post for western pwers.
Japan
Buddhist misiionaries from china brought print culture to japan around 768 to 770 AD
The oldest printed japanese book around the 868 AD was the diamond sutra, containing 6 sheets of text and illustrations.
Pictures were printed on textiles playing cards and paper money.
Poets and prose writer published regularly and books were chaep and abundant.
Print comes to Europe
Silk and Spices Trade: For centuries, silk and spices from China were brought to Europe via the silk route.
Introduction of Paper: In the 11th century, Chinese paper reached Europe, enabling manuscript production.
Marco Polo's Contribution: Marco Polo brought the knowledge of Chinese woodblock printing to Italy in 1295.
Spread of Woodblock Printing: Italians began producing books with woodblocks, and the technology spread across Europe.
Handwritten Luxury Editions: Expensive vellum manuscripts were made for aristocrats and rich monastic libraries.
Demand for Printed Books: Merchants and students bought cheaper printed copies, increasing book demand.
Book Fairs and Exporting: Booksellers exported books across Europe, and book fairs became common.
Limitations of Handwritten Manuscripts: Handwritten manuscripts were expensive, time-consuming, and fragile.
Popularity of Woodblock Printing: By the early 15th century, woodblocks were widely used for printing textiles, playing cards, and religious pictures.
Need for New Technology: Growing demand for books led to the invention of a more efficient print technology.
Gutenberg's Printing Press: Johann Gutenberg developed the first known printing press in the 1430s in Strasbourg, Germany.
Gutenberg's Background: Gutenberg used his knowledge of polishing stones, goldsmithing, and olive presses to create the printing press.
First Printed Book: The first book printed by Gutenberg was the Bible, with 180 copies produced in three years.
Coexistence of Print and Handwritten Books: Initially, printed books resembled handwritten manuscripts, with hand-illuminated borders and illustrations.
Spread of Printing Presses: Between 1450 and 1550, printing presses were set up in most European countries, leading to a boom in book production.
Print Revolution: The shift from hand printing to mechanical printing led to a revolution in the dissemination of texts.
The Print Revolution and Its Impact
The Print Revolution:
The print revolution was not just a development in book production; it transformed people's lives, changing their relationship with information, knowledge, institutions, and authorities.
A New Reading Public:
Printing reduced the cost of books, making them more accessible.
This led to the emergence of a new reading public as books reached a wider audience.
Previously, reading was restricted to elites, while common people relied on oral culture.
The transition created a reading culture alongside the existing oral culture.
Books were illustrated and read out loud in gatherings, blending oral and print cultures.
Religious Debates and the Fear of Print:
Print facilitated the wide circulation of ideas and debates.
Those who disagreed with authorities could print and share their views.
There were fears that uncontrolled printing could lead to rebellious and irreligious thoughts.
Religious authorities and monarchs criticized the new printed literature.
In 1517, Martin Luther's "Ninety-Five Theses" challenged the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the Protestant Reformation.
Print was crucial in spreading Reformation ideas and creating a new intellectual atmosphere.
Print and Dissent:
Print enabled individual interpretations of faith, even among less-educated people.
Menocchio, an Italian miller, read and reinterpreted the Bible, angering the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church imposed severe controls on publishers and maintained an Index of Prohibited Books from 1558 to repress heretical ideas.
The Reading Mania
The Reading Mania
Literacy rates increased in most parts of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Churches set up schools in villages, spreading literacy among peasants and artisans.
By the end of the 18th century, literacy rates were as high as 60-80% in some parts of Europe.
As literacy spread, there was a virtual reading mania, with printers producing books in large numbers to meet the demand.
New forms of popular literature appeared, targeting new audiences.
Booksellers employed pedlars who sold small books in villages.
Popular literature included almanacs, ballads, folktales, and other entertainment forms.
England: Penny chapbooks were sold by pedlars known as chapmen for a penny.
France: Low-priced small books called "Bibliotheque Bleue" were printed on poor quality paper and bound in cheap blue covers
The periodical press developed, combining information about current affairs with entertainment.
Scientific and philosophical ideas became more accessible to common people.
Ancient and medieval scientific texts, maps, and diagrams were widely printed.
Discoveries by scientists like Isaac Newton reached a wider audience.
Writings of thinkers like Thomas Paine, Voltaire, and Rousseau spread ideas about science, reason, and rationality.
'Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world!'
By the mid-18th century, there was a belief that books could spread progress and enlightenment.
Books were seen as means to change the world and liberate society from despotism.
Louise-Sebastien Mercier declared the printing press as the most powerful engine of progress and public opinion
Print Culture and the French Revolution
Historians argue that print culture created the conditions for the French Revolution.
Popularization of Enlightenment Ideas: Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau criticized tradition, superstition, and despotism.
Culture of Dialogue and Debate: Print allowed re-evaluation of values, norms, and institutions, leading to new ideas of social revolution.
Criticism of Monarchy: Literature mocking royalty circulated, leading to hostile sentiments against the monarchy.
Print did not directly shape minds, but opened up the possibility of thinking differently.