Before the invention of the printing press, how were books made?
A. They were photographed
B. They were hand written
C. They were memorized and recited
D. There were no books before the printing press
B, of course.
Mostly by monks in monasteries.
Before the invention of the printing press, books were made through a process known as hand writing or manuscript production. The correct answer is B. They were hand written.
To explain how books were made before the printing press, it is important to understand that manuscripts were created by scribes who copied texts by hand onto parchment or vellum (animal skin) using quills or reed pens. The entire process was labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Here's an overview of the steps involved in making books before the printing press:
1. Parchment or vellum preparation: The first step was preparing the writing surface. Parchment was made from the skin of sheep, goats, or calves, while vellum was specifically made from calf skin. The animal skin was washed, scraped, stretched, and dried to create a smooth surface for writing. This process required skill and patience.
2. Preparing ink and writing tools: Scribes would create their own ink, usually by grinding inkstones against solid ink sticks mixed with water. Quills or reed pens were used as writing tools. The scribe would carefully cut the end of the quill into a nib to create a writing tip.
3. Layout and ruling: The scribe would then prepare the layout of the book, which involved ruling lines or guide marks on the pages to ensure consistent writing and spacing. Margins and spaces for decorative elements were often included.
4. Copying the text: The scribe would then meticulously copy the text onto the prepared parchment or vellum. This required great accuracy and attention to detail to avoid errors and maintain consistency throughout the book.
5. Illumination and decoration: Books were often illuminated, embellished with intricate designs, decorative borders, and colorful illustrations. This was typically done by highly skilled artists, often in monastic scriptoria (writing rooms), using pigments and gold leaf.
6. Binding: Once the pages were written and decorated, they were assembled and bound. Different methods of binding were used, such as sewing the pages together, attaching them to wooden boards, and covering them with leather or fabric.
It's worth noting that the process of creating books through hand writing was time-consuming, expensive, and limited to a select few who had access to education and resources. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century revolutionized the book-making process, allowing for mass production and making books more accessible to the general public.