The Apple iPad might reasonably be called iconic. It marks a radical shift in aesthetics, distribution and consumption in the world of publishing. But despite  it's newness, the iPad is strangely familiar.  Echos of past 'revolutions' are unequivocal. Similarities with the now prosaic paperback are worth considering... 

The Penguin Paperback Book

Devised with the aim of making the printed word more accessible and easy to consume, the Penguin paperback was heralded as a revolution in publishing. Handy, portable and perfect for travelling, the paperback 'opened up a new chapter' in a sector that had changed very little for decades.The Penguin was launched during a period when copyright infringement was rife, established publishers were concerned about falling prices and a rise in small independent presses was flooding the market with populist works. Critics suggesting the new format was unsuitable for many types of content. The paper stock was coarse and the thwart-grain binding (with the grain of the paper running breadthwise) meant the books would not lie flat unless the spine was creased. Dissenters also highlighted the fact that the crude glue binding was less durable than the stitching in conventional books and therefore inherently unreliable. Opponents claimed that the paperback would devalue literature and undermine the business of publishing. 

The Apple iPad

Devised with the aim of making the printed word more accessible and easy to consume, the Apple iPad was heralded as a revolution in publishing. Handy, portable and perfect for travelling, the tablet 'opened up a new chapter' in a sector that had changed very little for decades.The iPad was launched during a period when copyright infringement was rife, established publishers were concerned about falling prices and a rise of small independent websites was flooding the market with populist content. Critics suggesting the format was unsuitable for many types of computing. The UI relied on a shiny touch sensitive LCD screen and had no mechanical keyboard or mouse. The modified iPhone operating systems was also berated for being too inflexible and inherently unreliable. Dissenters also highlighted the fact that the proprietary distribution system (iTunes) would restrict the array content available. Opponents claimed that the iPad would devalue literature and undermine the business of publishing.