CHAPTER 2 TIMELINE

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  • 2400 B.C.E. Papyrus
Made from plant reeds, papyrus is first used as paper and rolled into scrolls.
  • 1000 B.C.E. The Earliest Books
The Chinese make book-like objects from strips of wood and bamboo.
  • Fourth Century C.E. Codex
The first protomodern book is produced by the Romans.
  • 600 Illuminated Manuscripts
These books are created by priests and monks through-out Europe.
  • 1000 Movable Type
The Chinese invent movable type, significantly speeding up printing time.
  • 1453 Printing Press
Gutenberg invents the printing press, forming the prototype for mass production.
  • 1640 The First Colonial Book
Stephen Daye prints a collection of biblical psalms.
  • 1751 Encyclopedias
French scholars begin compiling articles in alphabetical order.
  • 1800s Publishing Houses
The book industry forms prestigious companies that produce and market works of good writers.
  • 1836 Textbooks
William H. McGuffey publishes the Eclectic Reader, helping American students learn how to read.
  • 1870s Mass Market Paperbacks
“Pulp fiction” paperbacks become popular among middle- and working-class readers.
  • Mid-1880s Linotype and Offset Lithography
New printing techniques lower the cost of books in the United States.
  • 1926 Book Clubs
Book-of-the-Month Club and Literary Guild are formed.
  • 1960s Professional Books
The book industry targets various occupational groups.
  • 1971 Borders Is Established
The chain formation of superstores begins.
  • 1995 Amazon.com
The first online book distributor is established.
  • 2007 Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has record-breaking sales of 13.1 million copies.
  • 2007 Kindle
Amazon.com introduces the Kindle, the most successful e-book reader to date.
  • 2011 Borders Closes
The chain closes all of its stores as brick-and-mortar stores lose business to digital sales.