The Arrival of the Printing Press in Turkey
The word, which entered our language from Arabic, means "printing house" in Turkish. Although Johannes Gutenberg was accepted as the inventor for a long time, actual research has proven that the invention of the printing press dates back to a much earlier period. The first print recorded in history and used was made in the 8th century by the Japanese Empress, and the first work printed was the sacred teachings of Buddhism, their holy religion. It later shifted from Japan to China, and in 960, the Chinese Pi Sheng developed the porcelain type printing technique, considered the father of the individual metal type we use today. Many works were printed using this method by Pi Sheng until 1297. The Uyghurs, located in the same region, adopted it after China, and as evidenced by numerous remnants found in the Tun-Huang caves, the Uyghurs not only used it extensively from the 9th century onwards but also contributed to its development. Europe encountered it in the 15th century, and Gutenberg played a significant role in the development of the printing press. Its arrival in Turkey, unfortunately, occurred with a full 200-year delay in 1726 by a Turk named İbrahim Müteferrika. However, it is known that minorities living within the borders of the Ottoman Empire used to print long before this date.
The Printing Industry in Turkey and Its Problems
The printing industry, which struggled with many problems in the past, continues its struggle with information technologies today. In particular, the increasing consumption of newspapers and books over the internet, and the predominant use of television and radio for advertising campaigns are the biggest challenges the sector faces. Furthermore, the rapid development of the sector and the constant development of new printing devices make it difficult for small businesses to keep up with this development, leading to the strengthening of larger ones. Consequently, small printing houses are forced to cease their production. For example, Jews carried out many prints using in 1488, and Armenians in 1567. However, the existence of calligraphers and the fact that a large portion of the Ottoman population was illiterate reduced the need for printing, resulting in very slow development of the printing press in the Ottoman Empire.
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