Despite recent advances in technology, in 1804 all printing was done by hand, and supply was falling far behind the public’s rising demand. That year, John Walter, editor of the Times, hired inventor Thomas Martyn to help develop a stream-powered iron press, but pressmen fearful of job losses pressured Martyn into giving up.

Undaunted, Walter resumed his researches into steam-powered printing, with technology developed by London-based Friedrich Koenig. This time, Walter kept the experiment under wraps until he had run off a complete edition of his newspaper on November 29th, 1814. Once his staff were assured that no one would be left unemployed, they accepted the innovation with enthusiasm.

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