PRINT CULTURE AND THE MODERN WORLD
THE FIRST PRINTED BOOKS
Origins In East Asia: China, Japan, And Korea
The history of printed books can be traced back to China, Japan, and Korea where a system of hand printing was first developed. As early as AD 594, the Chinese started printing books using woodblocks. Paper, another Chinese invention, was pressed against an inked woodblock to create prints. The result was an accordion book, named for its unique folding and stitching, given that both sides of the paper could not be printed on. These craftsmen were exceptionally skilled and could replicate the intricacies of calligraphy with remarkable accuracy.
Role Of The Imperial State
In China, the imperial state played a significant role in the production of printed materials for centuries. Given that the bureaucracy recruited its personnel through civil service exams, the textbooks for these exams were produced in massive quantities. By the 16th century, as the number of examination candidates rose, so did the volume of printed material.
Diversification In Print Usage And Audience
By the 17th century, the usage of print technology had diversified beyond scholarly circles. It became an everyday tool for merchants for collecting trade data, and also a source of leisurely reading. Literature, including fictional narratives, poetry, and plays, became popular. This period also saw the rise of female readers and writers, including wives of scholar-officials and courtesans who began publishing their own works.