Information is exploding at bewildering speed. What shall
become of the great research libraries in the post-Google age?
How did we arrive at this place in time?
Humans first learned to write about 6,000 years ago. According
to scholar Jack Goody, the invention was the most important technological breakthrough in human history.
The Codex replaced the scroll about 2,000 years ago (the second
technological shift). It had pages to turn rather than scrolls
to roll and completely transformed the reading experience.
Gutenburg's invention of printing with movable type occurred
in the 1450's and made books available to more readers. By the 19th century stream-driven presses on paper made from wood
pulp delivered the flow of information to a mass reading public.
