_Invention of Printing by Steam._
_The Times_ journal of Tuesday, November the 29th, 1814, was the first
newspaper printed by steam. To the editor of the _Every-Day Book_ the
application of machinery, through this power, to the production of a
newspaper seemed so pregnant with advantages to the world, that he
purchased _The Times_ of that morning, within an hour of its appearance,
“as a curiosity,” and here transcribes from it the words wherein it
announced and described the mode by which its fitness for publication
was on that day effected.
_The Times_ introduces the subject, through its “leading article,”
thus:--
“LONDON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1814.
“Our journal of this day presents to the public the practical result of
the greatest improvement connected with printing, since the discovery of
the art itself. The reader of this paragraph now holds in his hand, one
of the many thousand impressions of _The Times_ newspaper, which were
taken off last night by a mechanical apparatus. A system of machinery
almost organic has been devised and arranged, which, while it relieves
the human frame of its most laborious efforts in printing, far exceeds
all human powers in rapidity and despatch. That the magnitude of the
invention may be justly appreciated by its effects, we shall inform the
public, that after the letters are placed by the compositors, and
enclosed in what is called the form, little more remains for man to do,
than to attend upon, and watch this unconscious agent in its operations.
The machine is then merely supplied with paper: itself places the form,
inks it, adjusts the paper to the form newly inked, stamps the sheet,
and gives it forth to the hands of the attendant, at the same time
withdrawing the form for a fresh coat of ink, which itself again
distributes, to meet the ensuing sheet now advancing for impression; and
the whole of these complicated acts is performed with such a velocity
and simultaneousness of movement, that no less than eleven hundred
sheets are impressed in one hour.
“That the completion of an invention of this kind, not the effect of
chance, but the result of mechanical combinations methodically arranged
in the mind of the artist, should be attended with many obstructions and
much delay, may be readily admitted. Our share in this event has,
indeed, only been the application of the discovery, under an agreement
with the Patentees, to our own particular business; yet few can
conceive,--even with this limited interest,--the various disappointments
and deep anxiety to which we have for a long course of time been
subjected.
“Of the person who made this discovery we have but little to add. Sir
CHRISTOPHER WREN’S noblest monument is to be found in the building which
he erected; so is the best tribute of praise, which we are capable of
offering to the inventor of the Printing Machine, comprised in the
preceding description, which we have feebly sketched, of the powers and
utility of his invention. It must suffice to say farther, that he is a
Saxon by birth; that his name is KŒNIG; and that the invention has been
executed under the direction of his friend and countryman BAUER.”
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On the 3d of December, 1824, _The Times_ commences a series of remarks,
entitled, “Invention of Printing by Steam,” by observing thus. “Ten
years elapsed on the 29th of last month, since this journal appeared for
the first time printed by a mechanical apparatus; and it has continued
to be printed by the same method to the present day.” It speaks of
consequent advantages to the public, from earlier publication, and
better presswork, and says, “This journal is undoubtedly the first work
ever printed by a mechanical apparatus: we attempted on its introduction
to do justice to the claims of the inventor Mr. Kœnig, who some years
afterwards returned to his native country, Germany, not benefited, we
fear, up to the full extent of his merits, by his wonderful invention
and his exertions in England.” In refuting some pretensions which
infringed on Mr. Kœnig’s claim to consideration as the author of the
invention, _The Times_ states, that “before Mr. Kœnig left this country,
he accomplished the last great improvement,--namely, the printing of the
sheet on both sides. In consequence of successive improvements,
suggested and planned by Mr. Kœnig the inventor, our machines now print
2,000 with more ease than 1,100 in their original state.” Hence, as in
1814, 1,100 is represented to have been the number then thrown off
within the hour, it follows that the number now printed every hour is
2,000. _The Times_ adds, “we cannot close this account without giving
our testimony not only to the enlightened mind and ardent spirit of Mr.
Kœnig, but also to his strict honour and pure integrity. Our intercourse
with him was constant, during the very critical and trying period when
he was bringing his invention into practice at our office; so that we
had no slight knowledge of his manners and character: and the
consequence has been, sincere friendship and high regard for him ever
since.”
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