history of publishing

Table of Contents

Introduction
General considerations
Book publishing
- The origins of books
  - Books on clay tablets
  - The Egyptian papyrus roll
  - Chinese books
- Books in classical antiquity
  - Greek books
  - Roman books
- Books in the early Christian era
  - The codex
  - Vellum and parchment
  - Christianity and the book
- The medieval book
  - The monasteries
  - The revival of the secular book trade
  - Humanistic and vernacular books
- The age of early printing: 1450–1550
  - Early printer-publishers in Germany
  - Italy
  - France
  - Other continental printers
  - England
  - Printed illustrations
  - The book trade
  - Controls over printing
- The flourishing book trade: 1550–1800
  - Advances in continental Europe
    - The Netherlands
    - France
    - Germany
  - England
  - America
  - Spread of education and literacy
  - Growth of libraries
  - Decline of censorship
- Modern publishing: from the 19th century to the present
  - The 19th century
    - Book piracy
    - Price regulation
    - Trade catalogs
    - Development of copyright law
  - The early 20th century
    - The first literary agents
    - Sales methods
    - Effects of World War I
    - The book club
    - Design standards
    - The Great Depression
  - World War II and the postwar period
    - The postwar period
    - The paperback revolution
    - University and government presses
- Modern publishing practice
  - Educational publishing
  - Forms of copyright
  - Publisher’s agreement
  - Literary agents and scouts
  - Selling and promotion
Newspaper publishing
- Origins and early evidences
  - The Roman Empire
  - China
  - Medieval Europe
- The first newspapers
  - Commercial newsletters in continental Europe
  - Early newspapers in Britain and America
    - Britain
    - North America
  - Early newspapers in Japan
- Era of the Industrial Revolution
  - Technological advances
  - Foundations of modern journalism
  - Growth of the newspaper business in the English-speaking world
    - The United States
    - Great Britain
  - Continental Europe and other countries
- Era of the popular press
  - The United States
  - Great Britain
- The modern era
  - Technological developments
  - Financial developments
  - Maturation of newspaper markets
    - The emergence of national newspapers
    - Advertising
    - Contemporary challenges
  - The role of the press
Magazine publishing
- Beginnings in the 17th century
- Developments in the 18th century
  - Great Britain
  - Continental Europe
  - America
- The 19th century and the start of mass circulation
  - General periodicals
  - Illustrated magazines
  - Women’s magazines
  - Literary and scientific magazines
  - Scholarly journals
- The 20th century
  - The advertising revolution in popular magazines
    - Magazine advertising economics
    - Women’s magazines in the United States
    - Advertising in Britain and Europe
  - Publications outside Europe and the United States
    - Africa
    - India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
    - South America
  - News and photo magazines
    - Time magazine
    - Picture magazines
  - Digests and pocket magazines
    - Reader’s Digest magazine
    - Types of pocket magazines
  - Specialized magazines
    - Professional types
    - Nonprofessional types
  - Scholarly, cultural, and literary magazines
    - Britain
    - The United States
    - Continental Europe

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

For Students

publishing summary

history of publishing: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

See All Images →

Topics

literary agent music publishing editor news aggregator peer review samizdat Stamperia Valdònega online publishing electronic publishing news agency postal system telecommunication military communication telemetry

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

William Shakespeare: Publication

Key People

Ambroise-Firmin Didot

French printer and typesetter

Nathaniel Currier

American lithographer

Pierre François Didot

French publisher and printer

Robert Ballard

French printer

Pierre Didot

French printer and typesetter

John Brown Russwurm

American editor, publisher, and statesman

Joseph Medill McCormick

United States senator

Charles Edward Russell

American writer

Augusto de Campos

Brazilian poet and critic

Alexander MacMillan

Scottish publisher

Hyacinthe-Firmin Didot

French printer and typesetter

Daniel MacMillan

Scottish publisher

John Cowles

American publisher

Frank E. Compton

American publisher

Louis A. Godey

American publisher

Johann Friedrich Cotta, Freiherr von Cottendorf

German publisher

James Merritt Ives

American lithographer

Norris McWhirter

British publisher

Henry Richard Vizetelly

British-Italian publisher

François Didot

French printer and bookseller

history of publishing: Related Content

Photos

Related Topics and References

Key People