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Image for event: A Brief History of Printing

Registration now closed

A Brief History of Printing

In-Person Lecture and Q&A

2024-08-25 14:00:00 2024-08-25 15:15:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis A Brief History of Printing Join us at Central Library in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) for an engaging in-person lecture on the (abbreviated) history of printing. We’ll explore early examples of printing, delve into Gutenberg’s groundbreaking press, and discuss significant innovations throughout history. Central Library -

Sunday, August 25
2:00pm - 3:15pm

Add to Calendar 2024-08-25 14:00:00 2024-08-25 15:15:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis A Brief History of Printing Join us at Central Library in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) for an engaging in-person lecture on the (abbreviated) history of printing. We’ll explore early examples of printing, delve into Gutenberg’s groundbreaking press, and discuss significant innovations throughout history. Central Library -

Join us at Central Library in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) for an engaging in-person lecture on the (abbreviated) history of printing. We’ll explore early examples of printing, delve into Gutenberg’s groundbreaking press, and discuss significant innovations throughout history.

Culture, History, and Society: Rare Books and Special Collections—The history of printing is often thought to begin and end with Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1440, but this is far from the truth. The practice of transferring text onto objects dates back to 3000 BCE, and the first major innovation for printing duplicates onto paper was developed in East Asia in the 7th century BCE. While Gutenberg’s press and the resulting first printing of the Christian Bible revolutionized printing, it did not stop there. Significant improvements and innovations were made to movable-type designs, especially during key cultural events such as the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s. Even in recent decades, milestones in the world of printing have continued to emerge. Artifacts and printed objects serve as evidence of this long history, and some materials are preserved right here in Indianapolis within IndyPL's Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR). 

Presenter: This lecture will be led by Emily Thomas, an IndyPL children’s librarian with a background in history and rare books/manuscripts librarianship. Registered attendees are encouraged to arrive early or stay afterward to explore various captivating artifacts from printing history in our exclusive Historic and Fine Printing collection, which will be showcased in our exhibit cases. Register now and join us. 

Pre-readings and Other Resources
Printing History

Location: Held in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) on the 6th floor within Central Library located at 40 E. St Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Parking: The Central Library has a parking garage available to patrons during their time at the Library. The garage can be accessed on Pennsylvania Street.

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

Central Library

Phone: 317-275-4100

Hours
Mon, Jan 13 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jan 14 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jan 15 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Jan 16 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Jan 17 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jan 18 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jan 19 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.

Upcoming events

Tue, Jan 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Rescheduled
Tue, Jan 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, January 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Jan 14, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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Wed, Jan 15, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Jan 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Jan 18, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Jan 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Jan 19, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Rescheduled
Mon, Jan 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
New date Tuesday, January 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Jan 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Jan 21, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Jan 22, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

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Sat, Jan 25, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Jan 25, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

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Mon, Jan 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Mon, Jan 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Indiana Special Collections Room

Tue, Jan 28, 10:30am - 11:45am

Tue, Jan 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Wed, Jan 29, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

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Sat, Feb 08, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Mon, Feb 10, 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 11, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Rescheduled
Tue, Feb 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, February 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm