The earliest knowledge society has on the history of books actually predates what would conventionally be called "books" today and begins with tablets, scrolls, and sheets of papyrus. The history of the book starts with the development of writing, and various other inventions such as paper and printing, and continues through to the modern-day business of book printing. Another notable pioneer in the History of the Book is Robert Darnton. It was fostered by William Ivins Jr.'s Prints and Visual Communication (1953) and Henri-Jean Martin and Lucien Febvre's L'apparition du livre ( The Coming of the Book: The Impact of Printing, 1450–1800) in 1958 as well as Marshall McLuhan's Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man (1962). The history of the book became an acknowledged academic discipline in the latter half of the 20th century. Additionally, efforts to make literature more inclusive emerged, with the development of Braille for the visually impaired and the creation of spoken books, providing alternative ways for individuals to access and enjoy literature. While discussions about the potential decline of physical books have surfaced, print media has proven remarkably resilient, continuing to thrive as a multi-billion dollar industry. Digital advancements in the 21st century led to the rise of e-books, propelled by the popularity of e-readers and accessibility features. The 20th century witnessed the advent of typewriters, computers, and desktop publishing, transforming document creation and printing. The Late Modern Period introduced chapbooks, catering to a wider range of readers, and mechanization of the printing process further enhanced efficiency. Copyright protection also emerged, securing authors' rights and shaping the publishing landscape. Innovations like movable type and steam-powered presses accelerated manufacturing processes and contributed to increased literacy rates. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century marked a pivotal moment, revolutionizing book production. Prior to the invention of the printing press, made famous by the Gutenberg Bible, each text was a unique handcrafted valuable article, personalized through the design features incorporated by the scribe, owner, bookbinder, and illustrator. The Middle Ages saw the rise of illuminated manuscripts, intricately blending text and imagery, particularly during the Mughal era in South Asia under the patronage of rulers like Akbar and Shah Jahan. Across regions like China, the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia, diverse methods of book production evolved. Parchment and paper later emerged as important substrates for bookmaking, introducing greater durability and accessibility. The earliest forms of writing were etched on stone slabs, transitioning to palm leaves and papyrus in ancient times. Even a lack of evidence of this nature leaves valuable clues about the nature of that particular book. Analysis of each component part of the book reveals its purpose, where and how it was kept, who read it, ideological and religious beliefs of the period, and whether readers interacted with the text within. Its key purpose is to demonstrate that the book as an object, not just the text contained within it, is a conduit of interaction between readers and words. Contributors to the discipline include specialists from the fields of textual scholarship, codicology, bibliography, philology, palaeography, art history, social history and cultural history. The history of books became an acknowledged academic discipline in the 1980s. 12-metre-high (40 ft) stack of books sculpture at the Berlin Walk of Ideas, commemorating the invention of modern book printing
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