Analysis of historical data to determine early Sri Lankan print technologies

Abstract

This research discusses the importance of historical research as it serves to determine ideas and helps to group historical facts into explanatory scientific systems. Thus, by systematically documenting this knowledge contributes to develop and improve the theory and practice of education. Since design education in Sri Lankan is nearly two decades old, subject areas such as Graphic design lacks the needed literature on early Sri Lankan graphic practices that determine and contribute towards clarifying current and future trends built on historical research. The historical data that contributes to these subject areas are found at archival locations, and the preservation process in such locations limits us from the opportunity to observe historical data (primary data); that is required to establish new knowledge; in this case graphic design. Thus, this research aims towards documenting historical data towards building new knowledge. To achieve this, the historical data: specific to early book cover prints are compared with a literature survey on early printing technologies and on how they are identified. For this, the primary data (early book covers) from archival locations, were documented and visually observed with the use of a linen-prover magnifying glass with x4 enlarging capacity. The findings were compared with literature on different print technologies used during this era with the knowledge on how to identify them. The findings were compiled into stimuli for the analysis purpose. And finally, the gathered data was chronologically compiled as new knowledge. In conclusion, we were able to determine the technology used in early prints, more specific to print technology used during the early book publishing and printing industry of Sri Lanka. Since the data is chronologically (1870-1920) compiled we were able to identify patterns that help build new knowledge into other subject areas. It opens up discussion on historical trends in book cover designs, parameters of each technology used in Sri Lanka that influence book layout, its typography and letter composition for further research.