48. Incunable

Come along with Emily and Kyle as they discuss the incunable (not an adjective!) and the beginning of books as we know them.

This Latin word takes us through the history of printing, in Europe and beyond. We learn about all the ways people have put words on the page--from the manuscript, to block printing, to the infancy of moveable type and the Gutenberg Press.

Last but certainly not least, we take a peek at the back of the book to see something called a colophon, and learn that logos and slogans have had a place in books since the beginning. But we also get a valuable warning: the blurb at the back of your library book might be casting a dangerous curse!