The codex is the earliest form of the book we have. It came after the scroll. The codex allowed readers to have folded pages. It allowed to reader to "flip" pages. The flat pages laid on top of each other. The codex also took up less space on a shelf. The scroll was a continous reading, as that it was one page, and was meant to be read slowly. Since the codex was written on both sides, they could store twice as much information. This was also cheaper, since "cheap" paper had yet to be invented. It had better random access than the scroll.
The codex encouraged silent, fast reading. Although words were still run together, and paragraphs not marked, the processing time was more of a concern. Readers still spent time reading, but flipping pages made it easier to read faster.
Yes they are, just different forms of on another. The earliest form to the one we know today.
If we look at books today, they have come along way. We now see words and sentences separated. Paragraphs are indented and marked. We have indexes and table of contents. Also now font sizes aloow the author to determine how long the book will be. The processing time has become second hand. It is a natural act that doens't take long, like it use to.
Where will the book be in another 5o years? Will we still use them? Cds replaced cassette tapes and radios replaced record players. What will replace the book?
Posted by Rachel Howard at February 10, 2004 07:25 PM