With over 40 years in the printing industry, I have seen a lot of technological advancements over the years. Each era brought with it new machinery, refined processes, and opportunities to learn, adapt, and marvel at human ingenuity.
From the days of ink-stained hands and metal type to the dizzying precision of computerized offset presses, I have navigated this shifting landscape with curiosity and pride.
As an example, I ran a “Heidelberg Windmill” which is a nickname for the Original Heidelberg Platen Press, a letterpress printing machine known for its unique rotating paper feed system.
Invented by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen in 1914 seen below on the left as compared to the modern example of a printing press on the right, the Manroland 900 8 color 4/4 or a perfecting press referenced as a perfector by press operators like me.
So no, I’m not that old that I ran the windmill in 1914 but i did start in 1984 in the printing industry. My Dad opened a quick print shop in Saco, Maine that year and later in the 80’s bought a couple more shops. Well, I ran the Windmill by 1986 at my father’s commercial print plant 20,000 square feet of fun for me!
As you scroll down the page you will notice an image showing the evolution of printing. Starting from BC to Now. Please notice the amazing wisdom of humans that created and perfected the methods of printing.
It is fascinating to me the progress of smart humans like Johannes Gutenberg and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen these men were ahead of their times. I look forward to the future realizing that there is more to come in this industry of people like myself.
That wants to help people and companies duplicate a vision of imagery that represents something they can stand for in marketing and information. Of themselves or a company and messaging that suits them.
