The readings and the documentary showed us the story of printing has changed over the years. New technology, different ways of getting information, methods and our perceptions have influenced the way we read today. The chapter from Abbot and Williams, take us on the initial process of a “text”, from the author’s original idea, to its stages of revision, and eventually publication. The process of printing started before Gutenberg’s invention. Centuries before the Chinese had a way to print text from symbols on discrete blocks and bound books. Studying Early Books, explained the processes hand press, which were extremely complex and took a lot of precision and coordination to operate.     

I liked how the book and the reading “the Prints and the Pauper” divide the printing periods. Making it possible for us to understand that technological, social and even economic influences, do in fact change the role that authors, publishers, and printers in have in the process of production. For example, film explains how Gutenberg needed the right material to print and where he would get the investment to do so. It was interesting to learn that Gutenberg’s printing the text but the illustrations were added later, now a days, those two components can be created and added together. Today, traditional books are still arranged and organize in almost the same way. Aside from the technology of printing, the way we access them is the most notable difference. The book says that new technology has given authors more control over their creations, and I agree, authors can publish their material electronically making it accessible to almost everyone. The digital age has enabled folks to use their prefer way to read, and even alter a text if they choose to.