Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1910 — PRINTING FOR POSTERITY. [ARTICLE]

PRINTING FOR POSTERITY.

Impressions on Fine I n blenched Linen Would Be Bndnrlnar. Experiments have been made at the government printing office recently with a view to finding means whereby records of exceptional value may be preserved through ages yet to come, says the New York World. Ordinary printed books, undergoing as they do a steady process of decay, cannot be expected to last many centuries. . It seems altogether likely that the entire present contents of all our libraries will be dust fifteen hundred years from now or perhaps much sooner. How, then, shall our historical and other records, especially those In relatfon to discoveries In science, be preserved for the benefit and instruction of a re-mote posterity? The inquiry above mentioned, conducted under the direction of Dr. William F. Manning, has Ted to the conclusion that ordinary printing on unbleached muslin of fine mesh would endure for many thpusands of years. This, intact, seems to solve t)ie problem. Pages of the Congressional Record printed on fine bleached linen proved to be much more beautiful than on the best paper. Furthermore, the letters were clearer and more distinct to the eye.. Unfortunately, the bleaching pro-' (Sees seriously diminishes the lasting quality v of the fabric. But when unbleached linen is used it serves the purpose perfectly well and, though much less handsome, takes half-tone pictures as satisfactorily as paper. Dr. Manning got his Idea from certain pieces of linen which, unwrapped from the mummy of one of the Pharaohs, came accidentally into his hands. Although about 3,500 years old. they were perfectly preserved. We make much better linen nowadays and it may be expected to last at least as well. A® for the printing done on it. It can ne\er fade, inasmuch as ordinary black printer’s ink is four-fifths carbon (that Is to say, larhpblack) the most absolutely indelible substance known. It Is not suggested that all books be printed on unbleached linen In order that they may not perish, but It tgould certainly be desirable if at least two or three pieces of important historical and. other precious documents could be turned out in this material, in order that they might not be lost to the world through the ordinary processes of decay.