History of Early Printing Presses | The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation

Mo Rocca meets with curator Kristen Gallerneaux to talk about the innovations in printing, from the 15th-century Gutenberg printing press to the mid-1800s Washington Press found in Greenfield Village.

From the collections of The Henry Ford: The Washington Press established two innovations in printing history: a lightened metal frame for easier transport, and a toggle-joint mechanism to create impressions. Over 6000 of these rugged hand presses were sold between 1835-1902; many specialist printers continue to use them today. This press was donated by George Booth, Detroit News publisher and founder of the Cranbrook Educational Community.

Check out our expert set on printing presses in the collections of The Henry Ford: https://www.thehenryford.org/collecti...

"The printing press democratized knowledge. As mechanical improvements were made, printing became faster and cheaper. By extension, the content of newspapers and books diversified, and the printed word was distributed on a mass scale. This collection documents the mechanical lineage of printing presses, from a circa 1809 Ramage--one of the oldest surviving hand presses in the country--to the efficient Mergenthaler Linotype composing machine."