Printers were important to the young nation because they helped to quickly disperse information. There were no telephones, televisions, or computers so pamphlets, fliers, newspapers and books were very important for the transfer of ideas.

Working in a printing office was a lot of hard work. First a composer would have to use a composing stick to form words and lines. Each word had to be placed in the composing stick backwards in order for it to be printed correctly. When the lines are done they would be set in a wooden case called a galley. Galleys were gathered together and locked in a page size frame called a chase.

Next the beater would cover the type in ink. Damp sheets of paper were laid in a frame that was then pressed against the wet ink by the pressman or puller. A skilled printer could produce 1,500 to 2,000 sheets a day.

Benjamin Franklin was a very successful printer. He printed a newspaper, an almanac (a book that provided information about weather and growing seasons), and paper money. In fact, Franklin was so successful that he was able to retire at the age of 42. He was also an author, a statesman, a diplomat, and a scientist.

Benjamin Franklin image courtesy of Independence National Historical Park.

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