The sun finally sets on Britannica's 244-year-old print edition

A 244-year-long era is coming to an end as Encyclopaedia Britannica finally decided to discontinue its printed edition.  

 

Publishers of the encyclopedia said the 32-volume printed edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica —the august tomes of which were once considered a status symbol, boasting to contain "the sum of human knowledge"— will end once the current inventory is gone.

'More vibrant digital forms'  

"The encyclopedia will live on—in bigger, more numerous, and more vibrant digital forms. And just as important, we the publishers are poised, in the digital era, to serve knowledge and learning in new ways that go way beyond reference works. In fact, we already do," the editors said in a blog post.

 

They noted that for 244 years —since 1768— Encyclopaedia Britannica had stood on the shelves of homes, libraries, and businesses everywhere, "a source of enlightenment as well as comfort to their owners and users around the world."

 

On the other hand, they noted this may just be another historical data point in the evolution of human knowledge.

 

"That big print set will pass into history, but the future it gives way to will be bright," they said.

 

In the meantime, the publishers said Britannica Online will be entirely free for a full week beginning March 13.  

Shift to online distribution

 

A separate article on PC Magazine said Chicago-based Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. is shifting to an online-only distribution model this week.

 

"While 2010's 32-volume print edition boasts celebrities like golfer Arnold Palmer and skateboarding star Tony Hawk among its more 4,000 contributors, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. has had a tough time selling the thing. It's priced at $1,395 and so far, only 8,000 sets out of 12,000 printed have been sold, according to the (New York) Times," PC Mag said. — TJD, GMA News