Open now through October 31

The National Museum of Industrial History’s (NMIH) latest exhibit, Hot Off the Press: Printing and Papermaking, a hands-on look at how the printed word revolutionized the spread of knowledge throughout the world, debuts this week. From the Gutenberg press to linotype machines, like those seen in the hit movie The Post, NMIH’s exhibit gives an in-depth and interactive look at how printing presses, paper, and ink were used to spark the most influential industry on the planet.

The exhibit includes rare printings, including 17th Century translations, the first German-translated Bible printed in the Colonies, and the Ephrata Martyrs’ Mirror, the largest book printed in Colonial America.  Paired with these texts are working printing presses that visitors will be able to use to print take-home mementos, a one-of-a-kind scale model of a Fourdrinier papermaking machine, and mosaics saved from the now-demolished Bethlehem Steel Printery.

Special Events:

Meet the Printer – every Wednesday and Saturday

Meet master printers Bob Egolf and Alan Runfeldt as they operate the various printing presses and machinery in NMIH’s printery.

Linotype: The Film Screenings – 7/14, 7/28, 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/29, and 10/13 at 1pm.

Linotype: The Film is a feature-length documentary centered around the Linotype tape casting machine. Called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by Thomas Edison, it revolutionized printing and society. The film tells the surprisingly emotional story of the people connected to the Linotype and how it impacted the world. Movie screening is included in regular museum admission.

Papermaking Demonstrations –  7/15, 8/12, 9/16, 10/21 at 11am

Follow along with papermaking expert Tom Necker and NMIH staff as they demonstrate the amazing 1933 Rice, Barton, and Fales Fourdrinier Paper Making Machine! This scale model turns out an eight inch-wide web of paper at the rate of five feet per minute and sat at the heart of the paper industry exhibit at the Franklin Institute from 1933 until 1999.

Musikfest Poster Printing at NMIH – August 2-12

Fest-goers will have a chance to use a Chandler & Price Platen Press, dating back over 100 years old, to create a one-of-a-kind Musikfest keepsake. Join the volunteers and staff of the National Museum of Industrial History on our plaza and print your own version of this year’s Musikfest poster using a historic artifact! This activity is free for kids and adults, and is part of the Museum’s “Hot of the Press: Printing and Papermaking” exhibit running now through October. Weekdays (Mon.-Fri.) 4pm to 6pm, Weekends (Sat.-Sun.) 12pm to 6pm.

This link provides visiting information:

http://nmih.org/visit/