Did you know that prior to being able to simply download a book to your Kindle or Smartphone there was a laborious process to print and bind books? Have you ever really thought of what it takes to make an actual physical book?
Back in 1928 a Patent was granted that changed the folding process of the pages to only use parallel folds. It seems that the previous method of binding and packaging physical books was more difficult and more costly at each step. They were so precise that if any tiny mistake was made in the folding process it would lead to stitches sticking out and a completely ruined appearance of the book.
Although it was very difficult to create a new folding process that fit into the current book production method they were successful at creating this new process without requiring a complete overhaul of the standard practices for producing books.
Just like the physical books have patented procedures to produce the best results the eReader industry has undergone many revisions and changes in technology. Earlier patents issued for the Kindle included having a two screen system, much like the Nintendo DS, where you read the content on one screen and used a touch screen to navigate the one above. That lower screen has since been replaced with the key pad you see on today’s Kindles.
Every now and then its fun to see where we started and where we are now. It seems each week a new App is created with the next level of fun graphics and new tweaks to make technology easier and easier to use. Enjoy your reading!