Printing press technology over the centuries....
Replica Caxton Printing Press
William Caxton learned the print trade in Cologne in Germany and brought the technology back to England. Early printing presses were inspired by wine or linen presses which could apply pressure evenly onto a surface. Each page would involve putting together or “setting” movable metal letters into a page of type which could then be printed as many times as you wanted. The press was operated by hand.
Replica created by Hands on History.
Arab Treadle Press from Staples Press (1920s)
Although printing press technology continued to improve over the centuries, this Arab Press invented in 1872, still used the same basic idea as the Caxton Press.
This press was used by Staples until the early 1960s when it was given to St Albans School who set up a Printing Society to produce tickets, programmes and stationery for the school. The press remained in use until the introduction of word processing.
St Albans School
Compositor’s Jacket
This jacket, draped over the Arab Press, belonged to William Gibbard. He started in the print industry as an apprentice in St Albans before joining the army in 1944. He was given this leather sleeveless jacket whilst he was in the army and wore it throughout his career as a hot press compositor.
Brian Gibbard
3D Printer
Printing has moved on a long way from the first presses. This Xnilo V3 printer creates 3D objects in plastic, rubber, ceramics and even chocolate. The printer works by printing a thin layer and then adding more layers until the full shape is created. Almost any shape can be created by 3D printers today from bicycle chains to a fully wearable dress. You can see this 3D printer in operation during the exhibition- ask our staff for the next printing session.
On loan from The Digital Office.
Behind the three printers there are six images with captions
- A page from the Book of St Albans printed in the Abbey Gateway in 1486 (University of Cambridge)
- Fred Allen behind a Heidelberg press at Gibbs & Bamforth printing works (Lynne Power)
- Leonard Cheshire and Jack Millard outside Gibbs & Bamforth in their printer’s jackets (Diana Peerless)
- A lithographic printing press in operation at the Dangerfield Printing Company
- The Eversheds printing works on Inkerman Road
- Companies like Digital Office support all kinds of 3D manufacturing like this hand brace