History of Writing and Books

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

At what age did Farnsworth come up with the idea of the electronic TV?

10 years old

18 years old

16 years old

14 years old (correct)

What is one negative effect of television mentioned?

More people starting outdoor hobbies

Increase in radio listenership

Decreased book sales

Restaurants saw a drop in business (correct)

What was the original purpose of Community Antenna Television?

To distribute pay-per-view channels

To provide educational programming

To give remote areas access to better signals (correct)

To improve picture quality in urban areas

What significant change did the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 bring about?

The establishment of educational broadcasting as public broadcasting Signup and view all the answers

Which show is mentioned as a key program in PBS's programming lineup?

The Great British Baking Show Signup and view all the answers

Which era followed the Network Era in the order of broadcasting?

Post-network Era Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the NBC peacock symbol?

To show the difference in picture quality Signup and view all the answers

Viewing options available to modern viewers include all of the following EXCEPT:

Gaming networks Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant impacts of the printing press developed by Johannes Gutenberg?

It allowed information to be shared quickly and widely. Signup and view all the answers

Why did writing emerge as a crucial development in human history?

It enabled the storage and retrieval of information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials was NOT historically used for writing?

Plastic sheets Signup and view all the answers

In the context of censorship, what does 'removing' entail?

Taking specific pages out of a book. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Penny Press typically emphasize in its publication style?

News and new developments. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the notable contributions of Benjamin Franklin to journalism?

He created the first political cartoon. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about early newspapers is true?

They were independently operated and aimed at a broad audience. Signup and view all the answers

What major shift did Penny Papers make in their reporting approach?

Transitioned to an economic base from political views Signup and view all the answers

What role does news serve according to the provided information?

It documents ordinary and extraordinary events. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following artists is associated with the blurring of gender roles in Rock & Roll?

Marilyn Manson Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of public relations?

To secure favorable media publicity Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the father of modern PR campaigns?

Ivy Ledbetter Lee Signup and view all the answers

What act laid the foundation for the FDA?

The Pure Food and Drug Act Signup and view all the answers

Which entity oversees advertising practices in the United States?

FTC Signup and view all the answers

What funding model is NOT typically associated with content production and delivery?

Cash on delivery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a platform for content production and delivery?

Advertising agencies Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Books

Printed on paper
Spread ideas
Standardized language and spelling
Created mass culture
Originated in the Middle East (Egypt/Mesopotamia)

Writing's Advantages

Information storage
Reading and writing became elite skills

Timeline of Writing

1. Pictographs
2. Ideographs (Emojis)
3. Phonography
4. Alphabet

Writing Materials

Parchment
Papyrus
Paper

Johannes Gutenberg

Created the printing press
The Bible was the most popular printed item

Types of Control Over Information

Eliminating: Removing books from libraries
Removing: Removing pages from books
Refusing: Refusing to sell books to certain groups
Threatening: Threatening authors

Censorship

In the US, it's more local than national

Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post

Eliminated monthly subscription fees
Increased audience reach
Supported technology upgrades
Increased ambitious reporting
Gained recognition by bringing in customers from different locations
Increased online and mobile viewership

Legacy Media

Traditional media (newspapers, magazines, books, TV)
Owned by large corporations

News Matters

Satisfies desire to know things we can't experience personally
Documents daily life
Records ordinary and extraordinary events

Early Newspapers

Oral communication (family/tribe)
Community leaders/historians
The Diamond Sutra (oldest known printed book)

Benjamin and James Franklin

James Franklin published the New England Courant
First newspaper published without British Crown approval
Pennsylvania Gazette
First political cartoon ("Join or Die")
Added weather reports

Penny Press

New York Sun
Independent
Ignored politics largely
Focused on human interest stories
Invented the concept of news and new information

Penny Papers

Innovative
Assigned reporters to cover crime/local news
Changed focus from political editorials to economic base
Music as a cultural divider (masculinity vs. femininity)
Blurred gender roles (e.g., Elton John, Boy George, Prince, Grace Jones, Marilyn Manson, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles)

Public Relations (PR)

Strategic communication to build beneficial relationships
Attempts to secure favorable media coverage (difficult to control)
Management function focusing on mutually beneficial relationships

Stakeholders

People with an interest in issues, events, or occurrences (e.g., Press Agents, PR Practitioners)

Press Agents (Early PR)

First PR practitioners in the 19th century
Sought to advance client images using media exposure and staged stunts

Ivy Ledbetter Lee

Father of modern PR campaigns
Advised admitting mistakes publicly (e.g., Penn Railroad accident)

Volney Palmer

Opened the first advertising agency in Philidelphia

Pure Food and Drug Act

Prohibited sale of adulterated food/drugs in interstate commerce
Labeled the foundation of a consumer protection agency (FDA)

Who Watches Over Advertising?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Content Delivery

Local broadcast stations
Networks
Cable channels
Streaming services
Social media platforms
International production companies
Advertising
Subscription
Pay-per-view
Public support

Philo T. Farnsworth

Invented the electronic television at age 14

Television's Impact

Effect on restaurants: People spent more time at home watching TV
Ed Sullivan Show popularity and impact

Community Antenna Television (CATV)

Provided access for remote areas with poor signal

Public Broadcasting Act (1967)

Turned educational broadcasting into public broadcasting

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Non-profit, funds for educational/public service programs
Supported by government, private industry, and viewers (e.g., Sesame Street)

Order of Broadcasting to Streaming

Television's progression to streaming services.

Color Television

Introduced color television for a better and more enjoyable viewing experience.

Ted Turner

Recognition for global village creation and technological advancements in broadcasting.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the evolution of writing, from pictographs to the alphabet, and the impact of the printing press on mass culture. This quiz covers the materials used for writing, the role of censorship, and key figures like Johannes Gutenberg. Test your knowledge on how the written word has shaped society.