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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Technological change and electrification in the printing industry, 1880-1930

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6017748
Printing was one of the first industry groups to adopt electricity and, concurrently, to experience significant increases in labor and capital productivity. The electrification of the printing industry illustrates an association between electricity use and productivity in manufacturing. The period from 1880 to 1930 witnessed important technical improvements to composing, plate-making, and printing machinery, yielding greater output relative to input. Application of electric unit drive enhanced productivity further. The availability of electric power facilitated the mechanization of small plants and permitted several notable improvements to printing machinery.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76OR00033
OSTI ID:
6017748
Report Number(s):
ORAU/IEA-84-8(M); ON: DE85008393
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English