Stereotyping has a curious history. Many attempts were made to
obtain solid printing-surfaces by transfer from similar surfaces,
composed, in the first place, of movable types. The first who
really succeeded was one Ged, an Edinburgh goldsmith, who, after
a series of difficult experiments, arrived at a knowledge of the
art of stereotyping. The first method employed was to pour
liquid stucco, of the consistency of cream, over the types; and
this, when solid, gave a perfect mould. Into this the molten
metal was poured, and a plate was produced, accurately resembling
the page of type. As long ago as 1730, Ged obtained a privilege
from the University of Cambridge for printing Bibles and
Prayer-books after this method. But the workmen were dead
against it, as they thought it would destroy their trade. The
compositors and the pressmen purposely battered the letters in
the absence of their employers. In consequence of this
interference Ged was ruined, and died in poverty.
The art had, however, been born, and could not be kept down. It
was revived in France, in Germany, and in America. Fifty years
after the discovery of Ged, Tilloch and Foulis, of Glasgow,
patented a similar invention, without knowing anything of what
Ged had done; and after great labour and many experiments, they
produced plates, the impressions from which could not be
distinguished from those taken from the types from which they
were cast.
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