Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
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, Mar 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 02 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Apr 03 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Apr 04 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 05 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 06 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

Wed, Apr 02, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Wed, Apr 02, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Apr 04, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Apr 05, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Apr 05, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Sat, Apr 05, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Apr 05, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
This event is full

Sun, Apr 06, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Apr 07, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Apr 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Apr 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Wed, Apr 09, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Apr 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Apr 12, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Apr 12, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Sat, Apr 12, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Apr 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Sun, Apr 13, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Apr 14, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Mon, Apr 14, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Apr 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Apr 15, 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Apr 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Tue, Apr 15, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Apr 16, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Apr 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Apr 19, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Apr 19, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Sat, Apr 19, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Sat, Apr 19, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Apr 21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Apr 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Apr 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Tue, Apr 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Apr 23, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Apr 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Apr 26, 9:00am - 2:00pm

Sat, Apr 26, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
This event is full

Sun, Apr 27, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
This event is full

Sun, Apr 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Apr 27, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Mon, Apr 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Mon, Apr 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Indianapolis Special Collections Room

Tue, Apr 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Apr 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Tue, Apr 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Special Collections Room

Wed, Apr 30, 3:00pm - 5:00pm