Machines, Materials, and Money

The Press and the way it worked was transformed by the industrial revolution: in particular the introduction of the penny post and later the book post, the coming of the railway to Oxford in 1844, and the related telegraph system, changed the speed and frequency of communication within and outside the Press. Printing in the Press also underwent a series of transformations: the introduction of iron handpresses and stereotype in 1805, of the new Walton Street premises 1828–30, and of steam-powered machines in 1834. The introduction of lithography, wood engraving, electrotype, and collotype further changed the quantity and quality of Press books, as did the introduction of new sorts of paper, including India paper. These changes hugely increased the profitability of the Press, and this allowed it both to invest in further new technology, and generate surpluses which it transferred to the University: irregularly and infrequently at first, but later with more consistency.

Economics · Historical and Literary Studies · Historical Architecture and Urbanism · Media, Communication, and Education