These days, almost anything with a screen can serve as an e-reader. Digital readers continue to dominate, and the literary offerings are truly impressive. However, an inventor named Bradley A. Fiske explored the roots of the modern digital reader in 1920 with his 'reading machine', a device that not only optimized the portability of texts but also aimed to drastically reduce printing and distribution costs.
The most recent and cheapest Amazon Kindle costs $120. Personally, I think it could have a more accessible price, but there are no major complaints from its users about that. None of its direct competitors have managed to reach a similar level, and as alternatives we have smartphones (with larger screens) and traditional tablets, regardless of their limitations.
Now, we all secretly know that this didn't start with the Kindle. Amazon's solution hit the nail on the head and is the top choice on the list, but if we want to explore the origins of book readers, we have to travel far back. Almost a hundred years, to be precise.
The Fiske Reading Machine
The Fiske Reading Machine is the creation of inventor and rear admiral of the US Navy, Bradley Allen Fiske. Among his patents are a torpedo ignition system, direction and speed indicators, telescopes, and motorized turrets, but his reading machine was definitely something special.
It measured about 16 centimeters long by 4.75 centimeters wide, and weighed 155 grams. The machine had a 10x magnification lens on top, and a shield that covered the left eye to reduce fatigue.
The miniature texts loaded into the machine were created using a technique similar to photoengraving, and were divided into four columns. The user only had to advance the text and adjust the lens when necessary.
One of the goals of the Fiske Reading Machine was to revolutionize the distribution and commercialization of books. By so drastically reducing the size of texts, Fiske imagined a dramatic drop in the costs of paper, ink, and all materials associated with traditional printing.
Warehouses could multiply the number of available copies, and air transport would become much more profitable. Books and magazines would no longer carry prohibitive prices, and more people would have access to these sources of knowledge and entertainment. Unfortunately, Fiske's reader did not gain the expected traction, but I think he had his mind and heart in the right place. What do you think?
