Who made the first ever book in the world?

Who Made the First Ever Book in the World?

The Origins of the First Book: Who Really Made It?

Have you ever wondered who created the first book in the world? The question seems straightforward enough, but it’s actually a bit tricky to answer. A "book" as we think of it today—a bound collection of pages—didn't exactly exist in ancient times. Instead, the first "book" was likely some form of written material on scrolls, tablets, or early codices.

Let's take a journey back through history to explore how books came to be, who played a role, and what exactly "the first book" even means.

What Defines the First Book?

Before diving into names and dates, we need to define what a "book" is. To some, it’s a collection of written words in a physical form, like the ones we have today. But, in earlier times, the definition was a bit broader.

The very first written records were etched on stone tablets, like the famous Sumerian cuneiform texts. Then, people started carving words into clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE. These weren’t books, though—they were just records. The concept of a "book" really begins with scrolls and early written codices.

The Early Beginnings of Written Works: The Sumerians and Egyptians

The Sumerians (around 3000 BCE) are among the earliest known creators of written content. Their system of cuneiform script was used on clay tablets, which were some of the first written "documents." But, again, these weren’t really books in the modern sense—more like large, inscribed records.

Then, of course, the Egyptians came into the picture. The Egyptians were pioneers in using papyrus to create scrolls. This is where we start to see something more akin to the "book" we think of today. The Egyptians used papyrus to record everything from religious texts to administrative records. They even created illustrated "books" to accompany mummified bodies into the afterlife. You could say they were some of the first to create "books" in the sense of bound scrolls.

The Codex: A Game Changer in Book History

Now, if you’re asking who made the first true "book"—meaning a bound collection of pages—then the credit goes to the Romans. During the 1st century CE, the Romans started creating the codex, which is essentially what we now call a book. Unlike scrolls, which could only be rolled out, a codex had pages that could be turned, making it far more practical.

The codex didn’t catch on immediately, though. It took a while for the new format to become popular. The Romans used codices to write down everything from poetry to laws. But, what’s interesting is that this shift from scrolls to codices was gradual. It wasn’t a single person or event that created the first book—it was more of an evolution.

Who Was Behind the First Book? The Mysterious Inventors

So, who exactly "made" the first book? Well, it's not as simple as naming one person. The shift to bound books was a collective evolution, but there are a few names that come up in discussions of early book history.

One key figure is the Roman Emperor Augustus, who is said to have had a strong influence on the development of the codex format. But no one person can truly claim to have invented the book as we know it.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Christian monks of the 5th and 6th centuries played a huge role in preserving written texts by hand-copying ancient manuscripts. The idea of "books" as we understand them today really gained traction thanks to their efforts in monasteries across Europe.

The Invention of the Printing Press: A Revolutionary Moment

Now, this is where things get even more exciting. The first true mass-produced books—the ones that changed everything—came much later. In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. It was revolutionary, to say the least. Gutenberg’s press made it possible to print books quickly and cheaply, changing the entire world of literature and knowledge dissemination. Suddenly, books could be made in large quantities, and information spread like wildfire.

But, going back to the question of who created the first book—it really depends on your definition. The first written records were from the Sumerians, the first scrolls from the Egyptians, and the first bound books (codices) from the Romans. But Gutenberg? He made the first mass-produced books that set the stage for everything we have today.

The Impact of the First Books on Modern Society

It’s wild to think about how something as simple as a book has shaped human history. The idea of a bound collection of pages—something that we take for granted today—revolutionized communication, knowledge-sharing, and culture. Imagine not having access to books? The first-ever books were the foundation of everything we know about literature, science, and history.

I’ll tell you, I’ve been fascinated by books my whole life. I remember a few months ago, chatting with my friend Lisa about the Gutenberg Bible and how that book changed the course of history. We were talking about how different the world would be without that invention. It really put things into perspective for me: books have been around in some form for thousands of years, but the ability to mass-produce them has been one of the most world-changing innovations ever.

Conclusion: The First Book Wasn’t Just One Thing

So, who made the first book in the world? It’s not a simple answer. The Sumerians and Egyptians helped set the foundation with their early written records and scrolls. The Romans perfected the codex, making the first real bound books. And then, of course, Gutenberg came along and revolutionized the printing of books. But no single person or event can lay claim to creating "the first book." Instead, it was a long journey through history that led us to the books we know and love today.

Pretty cool, right?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.