International Printing Museum facts for kids
Peter Small demonstrating the museum's Gutenberg press
|
|
| Established | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Location | 315 W. Torrance Blvd. Carson, California |
| Type | Media museum |
The International Printing Museum is a special place in Carson, California. It has one of the biggest collections of old printing presses in the United States. This museum teaches visitors all about how books and newspapers were made long ago. They even have a special printing press on a trailer that travels to schools!
The museum is located near Los Angeles. It sometimes helps Hollywood movies and TV shows. They rent out old printing presses for these productions.
Contents
Discovering Printing History
The International Printing Museum was started in 1988. David Jacobson and Ernest A. Lindner created it. They wanted a home for Lindner's amazing collection of old printing machines. Over the years, the collection has grown a lot. Many important items have been donated or bought. Mark Barbour, the founding curator, helped lead this growth.
The Amazing Gutenberg Press
The museum has a copy of a Gutenberg press. This machine was invented by Johannes Gutenberg. His invention of movable type was a huge deal! Time magazine even called it one of the most important inventions of the last 1,000 years.
Before Gutenberg, books were very expensive. Most people could not afford to own one. After his invention, printing became much cheaper. More people could buy books, like their own Bibles. This helped people think for themselves. It led to big changes like the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment. These changes helped lead to democracy.
Ben Franklin: A Printer's Story
The museum also has a very old printing press made in America. It is the third oldest one known. Two hundred years ago, it was called a "common press." This is the kind of press Ben Franklin used in his own printing business.
Ben Franklin did not go to school for very long. But he learned a lot about language as a printer's helper. He made his living as a printer. He published the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack. Franklin was very proud of being a printer. Even when he met kings and queens, he would just say, "I am Benjamin Franklin, a printer." He did not even mention his science or political achievements!
Printing in Mark Twain's Time
The museum also has printing presses from the time of Mark Twain. He was a famous writer. Like Ben Franklin, Mark Twain did not have much formal schooling. He learned a lot by working as a printer's helper. He worked for the Hannibal Journal newspaper. Later, he was a writer and editor for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise and other newspapers.
The museum also has many Linotype machines. These machines helped print newspapers faster. There are also other presses and newspaper machines to see.
A Working Museum Experience
The International Printing Museum is a "working museum." This means that many of the machines still work! Staff and volunteers use them to print things for the museum. They also work on their own projects. Visitors can watch them print. Students can even take classes to learn how to use the old printing equipment safely. This helps visitors see how printing was really done. It fulfills the museum's goal to show how these machines were used.
Exciting Programs and Events
The museum hosts many fun and educational programs. They have special events for schools and the public.
- The Inventive Ben Franklin
- Franklin's Colonial Assembly
- Constitutional Convention Tour
- The Dickens Holiday Celebration
- Franklin Gallery Tour
- Book Arts Tour
- Book Arts and Printing Classes
- Scout Merit Badge Program
- L.A. Printers Fair
The museum also has a special trailer. This trailer holds a Ben-Franklin-type printing press. It travels to schools and public events. This way, the museum can bring its living history programs to even more people!
