The origins of books
How soon after the invention of writing men began to make books is uncertain because the books themselves have not survived. The oldest surviving examples of writing are on clay or stone. The more fragile materials used for writing at various times have generally perished. The earliest known books are the clay tablets of Mesopotamia and the papyrus rolls of Egypt. There are examples of both dating from the early 3rd millennium bc.
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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publishing - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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Latin verb publicare, from which publishing is derived, means "to make public." The publishing industry is one of the largest enterprises in the world. It encompasses the printing and circulation of books, magazines, newspapers, advertising brochures, musical scores, maps, calendars, diaries, timetables, greeting cards, directories, and more. Of these the publishing of books is by far the oldest. The newest is software publishing for the millions of users of personal computers. (See also Book and Bookmaking; Magazine and Journal; Newspaper.)
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