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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Printing Press Development

Printing Press Development

There are a lot of new technologies used in the printing press industry. Make it from simple to very complicated machines that for sure will lead to the transformation of printing services. And even more, latest technologies are still innovating for faster and accurate printing results.

The original method of printing was block printing, pressing sheets of paper into individually carved wooden blocks usually called(xylography). It is believed that block printing originated in China and the earliest known printed text, the Diamond Sutra (a Buddhist scripture), was printed in China in 868 A.D. The technique was also known in Europe, where it was mostly used to print Bibles. Because of the difficulties inherent in carving massive quantities of minute text for every block, and given the levels of peasant illiteracy at the time, texts such as the "Pauper's Bibles" emphasized illustrations and used words sparsely. As a new block had to be carved for each page, printing different books was an incredibly time consuming activity.

After the block printing another technique was been introduced, the moveable clay and metal type are processes much more than hand copying. The use of movable type in printing was invented in 1041 AD by Bi Sheng in China. Sheng used clay type, which broke easily, but eventually Goryeo (Korea) sponsored the production of metal type (a type foundry was established by the Korean government in the early 15th century). Since there are thousands of Chinese characters (Koreans also used Chinese characters in literature), the benefit of the technique is not as apparent as with alphabetic based languages. Movable type did spur, however, additional scholarly pursuits in Song China and facilitated more creative modes of printing. Nevertheless, movable type was never extensively used in China until the European style printing press was introduced in relatively recent times (thus bringing the technology full circle).

Although probably unaware of the Chinese/Korean printing methods. Gutenberg refined the technique with the first widespread use of movable type, where the characters are separate parts that are inserted to make the text. Gutenberg is also credited with the first use of an oil-based ink, and using "rag" paper introduced into Europe from China by way of Muslims, who had a paper mill in operation in Baghdad as early as 794. Before inventing the printing press in 1440, Gutenberg had worked as a goldsmith. Without a doubt, the skills and knowledge of metals that he learned as a craftsman were crucial to the later invention of the press.

From the different pioneering inventors of the printing press, nowadays high-tech machines are also invented to to help upgrade the industry when it comes to fast, efficient and credible result of printing services. The printing press certainly initiated an "information revolution" on par with the Internet today. Printing could and did spread new ideas quickly and with greater impact.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Feathering Your Retirement Nest

What will you look for as you approach your "golden" years? Will it be an affordable condo on the golf course with room for the grandchildren to visit? Must it be close to friends and family or new "senior" friends living close by? Should it be near good medical facilities?

The average householder 65 or above earns only two-fifths as much as earners age 45-54 (who are at their peak earning years). Even though many "goldenagers" are now free from the encumbrances of children and work-related expenses, the costs of daily life must be planned. Income must be protected to assure its availability for household expenses and higher health care costs.

The "goldenagers" have even more than lifestyle questions to consider in choosing their retirement nest. You should take a look at the effect of state tax structures on your projected retirement income. It's important to look at the following key tax areas:

 TAXATION OF EARNED AND INVESTMENT INCOME

If you plan to continue working, you need to take a look at the way states vary in taxing your income. Some states do not make an exception for age, some give tax breaks and some do not tax earned income at all for "goldenagers."

 PENSION INCOME TAXATION

Many "goldenagers" depend on the income from military, government or private pension plans to survive. Some states exempt all pension income from taxation , others exempt only certain types of pension income and other states place caps on non-taxable pension income.

 TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Social Security benefits are important to all "goldenagers." Some states do not tax this benefit at all, some follow federal tax formulas for determining taxes on the benefits, but still other states have their own formulas to determine the tax due.

 PROPERTY TAX

Some states offer advantages to "goldenagers" such as homestead exemptions that can be helpful in reducing property tax burdens. Remember to check the tax laws regarding taxes on personal property, especially cars and boats.

 SALES TAX RATES

Nearly every state, and often localities within each state, tax clothing, gas, household goods and sometimes even food and drugs. When you budget your fixed income for these items, remember to consider the sales taxes as you move to your retirement nest.

 ESTATE TAXES

Even though these taxes will not affect your cost of living as a "goldenager," they should be considered as you build your nest. Some states tax the surviving spouse on a portion of the inheritance which in another state would pass to him or her without being taxed. States are studying how to make their financial environments "friendlier" to seniors so watch for changes in state estate tax codes.

A decision for your "golden years" cannot be based on any one tax consideration. You need to examine your overall financial situation and consider the options in the attempt to make your retirement nest free from financial stress.