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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, Apr 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Apr 24 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Apr 25 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 27 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

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

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

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

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

Sat, May 03, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, May 03, 11:15am - 12:00pm

Sat, May 03, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, May 03, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
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Sun, May 04, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, May 04, 1:30pm - 4:00pm

Mon, May 05, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, May 06, 11:00am - 11:45am

Tue, May 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Wed, May 07, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, May 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, May 10, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, May 10, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Sat, May 10, 11:15am - 12:00pm

Sat, May 10, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, May 10, 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Sun, May 11, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, May 12, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, May 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Tue, May 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Wed, May 14, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, May 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, May 17, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, May 17, 11:15am - 12:00pm

Sat, May 17, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, May 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, May 18, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Mon, May 19, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Mon, May 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Indianapolis Special Collections Room

Tue, May 20, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Tue, May 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Wed, May 21, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, May 23, 11:00am - 11:30am

Cancelled
Mon, May 26, 5:30pm - 7:30pm