July 30: On This Day in 1935 - 1st Paperback Books

July 30, 1935: Paperback books were introduced on this day in 1935. Although books bound in soft covers were first introduced in 1841 in Leipzig, Germany, by Christian Bernhard Tauchnitz, the modern paperback revolution dates to the publication of the first Penguin paperback by Sir Allen Lane in London, England, in 1935.

Lane believed that "good quality contemporary fiction should be made available at an attractive price." He didn't think that books should only be sold at book stores, but should also be available at convenience shops, newsstands and railroad stations.

The first Penguin paperback books were color coded (blue for biographies, green for crime, orange for fiction) and featured works by the authors: Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, and Andre Maurois. They originally cost the same amount as a package of cigarettes, about sixpence.

Paperback books provided a source of good-quality writing and literature, but at a lesser cost than traditional hard-bound books. This revolutionary idea changed the entire literary world and afforded everyone the opportunity to read great books.

So next time you pick up a paperback, thank Mr. Lane for such an innovative idea.  HAPPY READING!!!