How Print Changed The World

HOW PRINT CHANGED THE WORLD

If something is printed we believe it is true and correct – although we are more media 

savvy now.

Standardises information

Documentation. Communication. Reproduction.

200AD

Woodcut

East Asia

Bulks expensive stock

1400AD

European print

650AD

China

Book

Religion – Buddhism

Maps

Japanese

Woodblock

2000AD

Communication. Reproduction. Documentation.

Knowledge is power

1000AD

First movable type

1450

Guttenberg Press

Literacy boomed

Beginnings of the class divide

Trickle down theory

Nationalistic

15^th – 18^th Century

Production of printed books boomed

Fueled by countries with formulated religions

Same time as scientific boom

Everything becomes visual

Glyphs developed through laziness

Text & communication

Marshall McLuhan

-       Medium is the message

-       1911-1980

-       New technologies

Individuality

Democracy

Capitalism

Nationalism

Linotype

1884

Line casting

Revolutionised the printing press

Development of keyboard and technology

Linotype: The Film 

1^st etching

Religious theme

Suits of armour

Mass communication

Moulin Rouge

Lithography

Not supposed to be attractive

Advertising

1917

Crafts movement

Propaganda

War changed everything

1936 – Spanish civil war

1941 – War poster

1930 – Modernism – Mondrian

German reform

Propaganda

Clean

2 colour separation

Versatile

1930s poster

Clean lines

‘Keep your teeth clean’

Communication. Reproduction. Distribution.

Daily Star

-       Propaganda

-       Anti-Muslim

-       Believed

Andre the Giant who was classed as the best wrestler around and was unbeatable, but 

this stereotype changed when he came up against Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, before the 

fight Andre was never told that there was going to be a snake involved in the fight, 

unknowingly to everyone who makes the show he had a phobia of snakes, and so when 

in the ring he was terrified and his stereotype instantly changed. He Lost all support 

and respect. 

Shepard Fairey then played on this when he made the Obey posters, using his face, this 

then regained him a 'posse', it made him part of the community. Shepard Fairey then 

went on to create the Obama poster, helping him become at one with the community in 

the same way he did with Andre.