The Advent of Printing in Current Historical Literature: Notes and Comments on an Elusive Transformation

Abstract

IN late fifteenth century, book production moved from scriptoria to printers' workshops. This shift, which revolutionized all forms of learning, was particularly important for historical scholarship. Ever since then, historians have been indebted to Gutenberg's invention; print enters their work from start to finish, from consulting card files to reading page proofs. Because historians are usually eager to investigate major changes and this change transformed conditions of their own craft, one would expect shift to attract much attention from profession as a whole. A recent survey of varied studies shows contrary to be true. It is symbolic that Clio has retained her handwritten scroll. So little has been made of move into new workshops, that, after five hundred years, muse of history still remains outside. History bears witness to cataclysmic effect on society of inventions of new media for transmission of information among persons. The development of writing and later development of printing are examples. . . .' In so far as flesh-and-blood historians who turn out articles and books actually bear witness to what happened in past, effect on society of development of printing, far from appearing cataclysmic, is remarkably inconspicuous. Many studies of developments during last five centuries say nothing about it at all. Those who do touch on topic usually agree that use of invention had far-reaching effects. Francis Bacon's aphorism suggesting that it changed the appearance and state of whole world is cited repeatedly and with approbation. But although many scholars concur with Bacon's opinion, few have tried to follow his advice and take note of force, effect, and consequences of Gutenberg's invention. Much attention is paid to developments that paved