News Summary

• The printing press was initially developed in the 1450s, 40 years before Columbus’ voyage.
• By harnessing steam engine power, the marginal cost of printing approached zero and typesetting productivity was such that tens of these pages could be laid out in hours.
• The newspaper became the primary source of information for the world.
• It became highly influential and a political (and propaganda) instrument.
• We still seek out old papers in archives to find out what happened day-to-day in history.
• There was something in a newspaper for everyone.
• For men and women, from youth to elderly and for rich and poor.
• Since the cost of adding pages to the paper was marginal, bundling ensured a growing audience.