Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, one of the first subscription libraries in America. He published Poor Richard's Almanack yearly from 1732 to 1758 containing weather predictions, proverbs and advice. J.K. Rowling overcame many obstacles to become published and is now the first billionaire author in history due to the immense success of her Harry Potter book series, which has sold over 325 million copies worldwide and been translated into 65 languages. Printing technology has advanced significantly from the Gutenburg press used in Franklin's time to modern high-speed printing presses that can print over 18,000 sheets per minute.

1. Five Minutes in Books
Featuring Benjamin Franklin
and
J.K. Rowling

2. Benjamin Franklin
“A learned blockhead is a greater
blockhead than an ignorant one.”

3. Poor Richard’s Almanac
• Yearly Publication that ran from 1732 –
1758
• Contained weather predictions, proverbs
and home-making advice
• Sold 10,000 per year

4. Library Company of
Philadelphia 1731
• Began when Franklin and his friends pooled
book collections and opened them to the public
• First American subscription library
• Allowed members to borrow books
• Perhaps the first truly public library

5. J.K. Rowling
“Remember, if the time should come
when you have to make a choice
between what is right and what is
easy.”
~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

6. From Jo to J.K.
• Overcame many early obstacles to become
published
– 12 Separate publishers turned her down
before finding one to sign her. Took a full
year to get a contract after finishing the first
manuscript.
– Joanne not the best name for an author
selling books to young boys. Chose to use
J.K. after advice from Publisher.

7. The Author for Everyone
• Read by adults and children
worldwide
• As of 2009, 325 Million copies of the
Harry Potter books have been sold.
(how many have read?)
• From Rags to Riches: Rowling is the
first Billionaire author in history

8. The Harry Potter Phenomena
• Seven books = Eight movies. Book seven will be
released in two parts. November 2010 and May 2011
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in the Spring
of 2010 at Universal Orlando
• Undoubtedly, the world’s most successful Children’s
series of all time.
• Translated into 65 different languages
• Why the fuss?

9. The Characters and Elements of
Harry Potter
• Kids relate to the characters and feel as
if the are growing up alongside them.
– The relationships of the characters give the reader an
element of “realism” that brings them into the story
and keeps them hungry for the next book to be
released.
• Kids learn lessons as the characters
learn lessons.

10. Advances in Printing
• During the years of Poor Richard’s
Almanack, printing was done on the
Gutenburg Printing Press.
• The Gutenburg Press was used from 1454
until the 1800’s and was more convenient and
efficient than manual copying.
• The Gutenburg Press was succeeded by Lord
Stanhope in 1800 with a complete cast iron
constructed press. However Stanhope’s press
still only produced 250 sheets per hour.

11. Advances in Printing
Today, when J.K. Rowling prints a new book, it is likely
printed on a Printing Press similar to the 2008
Rapida 106 by Koenig & Bauer, which can run off
sheets at an amazing 18,000 sheets per minute.

12. References:
http://www.kba-print.de/en/home.html
http://media.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/J._K._Rowling
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benjamin_franklin_10.html
http://content.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3578
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/53/07celebrities_JK-Rowling_CRTT.html