The invention of the printing press is arguably one of the key events of the last millennium. It opened the way for the mass dissemination of information and was the dominant technology for information distribution until the mid-20th century.
I've been fascinated by printing technology and printing presses ever since childhood. My father worked for a newspaper and I saw the evolution of printing from hot lead to computerized typesetting and offset printing first hand.
So I am excited to find out (thanks to BlogTO) that there is a museum of printing presses not much more than an hour's drive away from where I live. The Howard Iron Works Printing Museum and Restoration facility is located in Oakville, Ontario.
The Howard Iron Works Museum and Restoration facility is a lifelong dream of Liana and Nick Howard. The Howards are custodians of Howard Graphic Equipment Ltd., a company that is a leading edge supplier and rebuilder of printing and converting equipment. The business continues into its 48th year having started in 1967.
The museum's website is a treasure trove of printing lore. Sections are devoted to various types of printing presses in use from the 1830s to 1950s. There is an introductory page that describes the basic features of that type of press and pages for individual examples. The website includes a gallery of letterheads, which are fascinating in their own right.
Once we're through the pandemic, I intend to head down to Oakville for a visit (by appointment only, according to the website.
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