Exploring History: Journey through the Printing Museum

To broaden their horizons, students from the COMM1071 Journalism B01 class, accompanied by their professor Miroslay Atanassov, visited the Printing Museum in Daxing District, Beijing, on April 20, 2024. Exploring the history of printing technology, they reignited their journalistic passion during this enlightening excursion.

The Printing Museum is one of the world's largest specialized museums. It is dedicated to showcasing the development of printing technology. Therefore, it displays a rich collection of exhibits representing the evolution of printing technology over centuries. Guided by the museum docent, the students and Professor Atanassov explored the rich content of printing technology in chronological order. From movable type printing in the Song Dynasty to modern manual phototypesetting machines; from the earliest pictographic writing to China's first set of stamps, the extensive exhibits provided a feast for the eyes.

The visitors carefully observed the details of each exhibit. Whenever they moved to the next exhibit, the students eagerly vied for the front positions. Professor Atanassov occasionally took photos of the students, capturing their eager learning demeanor. Among the exhibits, the masterpiece, “The Spring and Autumn Annals” reflected the pinnacle of ancient woodblock printing craftsmanship. It earned most unanimous astonishment and praise from the students. They crowed around it, eager to admire its magnificence.

"It's incredible," said Loris, a student in the class. "The clear and standard text on the yellowed paper made me hard to consider it a product of the Southern Song Dynasty. I am amazed by the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients."

In addition to admiring the exhibits, students listened attentively to the docent’s explanations. Some of the students even had good interactions with the docent. Through more inquiries, they gained a deeper understanding beyond the explanations. Patrick, another participant, found himself particularly impressed by the story behind "Printing Press on Horseback". He learned from the docent that it depicted Red Army soldiers carrying printing presses during long marches, ingeniously modifying them to reduce weight. "It's not just a cold exhibit," shared Patrick, another participant. "The stories behind it make me feel even more. As a journalism student, I once again appreciate the power of words and the responsibility of the journalism profession to uncover the truth behind events."

As the visit concluded, the team gathered for a group photo in front of the museum's monumental plaque. Armed with newfound knowledge of printing artistry and innovation, they were once again filled with enthusiasm for their ongoing journey in journalism. Visiting the Printing Museum is not just an exploration outside the classroom, but also a journey to awaken students' awe of the power of words. Through the lens of printing history, students gained a deeper understanding of the irreplaceable role of words, news, and media in society. As they returned to the classroom, they would be more proactive and shoulder the responsibility of being journalism students with renewed vigor.