Meet the Machines that Changed the World
at our Minnesota Newspaper Museum.
By: Linda Falkman
Thomas Edison, one of America’s greatest inventors, declared our Linotype Machine no less than “The Eighth Wonder of the World” because of its intricacy and productivity. See it in action each day of the Minnesota State Fair, in the 4-H building.
The sights and sounds of an old-time newspaper office come alive each day in the newspaper museum, a living-history office, representing a 1930s weekly newspaper. Listen to some noisy and exciting demonstrations of historic letterpress equipment.
Last year, 10 new signs were installed telling the story of how our letterpress machines changed the world, how a newspaper editor writes the first draft of history, and of how early publishers faced their challenges.
This year, new signs tell stories of how five newspapers changed their communities by reporting on important local issues. Other signs tell of how newspapers fought for important legal protections of freedom of the press.
If you’d like to volunteer, we have lots of fun shifts available. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Leonard at newsmuseumsf@gmail.com or 651-238-5614.
To support our messages and expenses, please send a tax-deductible check for Minnesota Newspaper Foundation to Barbara Trebisovsky, Minnesota Newspaper Museum, PO Box 19675, Minneapolis MN 55419.
Come and talk with the “Editor of the Day” about newspaper issues that interest YOU! The State Fair runs from August 25 to September 5.
