While newspapers are now significantly affected by digital media, they’re still a popular choice for keeping up with the latest stories in politics, current events, sports, and much more. However, have you ever wondered where newspapers came from? Here are some unique facts about newspapers that will blow your mind.
1. The Romans Created the First Newspaper
Known as the “Acta Duna” which translates to “Daily Acts,” the Romans invented the first newspaper. They contained texts about daily news and discussed various topics such as military activities, sports, and civil matters. The Acta Duna was written on stone and spread daily. Sometimes, Roman newspapers would be placed in venues where people would gather and read them.
2. Most Newspaper Names Have a Geographical Component
Not all, but many newspaper names do contain some geographical context. Examples include the New York Times, USA Today, The Times of India, Hindustan, China Daily, Los Angeles Times, The Japan Times, and South China Morning Post. All these papers give potential readers a clue of their content’s geographical location.
3. The Heaviest Newspaper Weighed More than 12lbs
The Guinness World Record recognizes the September 14, 1987, copy of the New York Times as the heaviest newspaper ever delivered. The 1,612-page newspaper weighed at least 12lbs (5kg).
4. The Musalman is the Only Surviving Handwritten Newspaper
In Chennai, India, there is an Urdu-based evening paper written by hand called The Musalman. Started in 1927, a team of calligraphers have written news stories by hand for the past decades and continue to do so. Even when other companies switched to printing, Musalman retained its traditional approach and has a huge fan base. It is a four-page newspaper that also runs advertisements for the government and private entities.
5. Japan Has a Newspaper that Can Be Planted After Reading
A famous Japanese daily newspaper called The Mainichi Shimbunsha invented a green newspaper that is 100% recyclable. It is made from vegetable paper, and after reading it, the paper can be planted and will blossom into a flower. The paper contains herb seeds, small flowers, water, and recycled paper.
6. The Ordinary Post Tijdender is the Oldest Newspaper that is Still Operating Today
First published in 1645 in Sweden, the Ordinary Post Tijdender, renamed Post-och Inrikes Tidningar, is the oldest newspaper that still operates to date. It has been around for more than 378 years, which is much longer than the Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung, which was first published in 1705. It’s also older than the London Gazette, established in 1665.
7. The Famous Font Times New Roman was Commissioned by a Newspaper Called the Times
Anyone who has used a computer is familiar with the font Times New Roman. Well, it was invented by a British historian and graphic designer called Stanley Morison and was commissioned by a newspaper called Times in 1932.
8. David Bowie Carried a Greek Newspaper to Hide His Identity
English musician David Bowie used to walk New York streets or board a public plane carrying a Greek newspaper. He did this to hide his identity from any curious onlookers. Apparently, he assumed that people wouldn’t recognize him as David Bowie, but someone who looked like him. This was disclosed by Alan Edwards, who was his media adviser.
9. The Onion Once Fooled a Chinese Newspaper
The Onion is well known for its highly satirical publications – it chose Kim Jong Un as the sexiest man alive in 2012. Interestingly, the official newspaper of the Chinese communist party quoted the Onion in its 55-page slideshow of North Korea’s supreme leader. The publication in the Chinese paper kept mentioning the Onion in its detailed post.
10. Liverpool FC Fans Have Boycotted “The Sun” Newspaper Since 1989
The Sun is one of the most popular newspapers in the UK. However, it has been strongly boycotted by Liverpool fans and everyone associated with this city. This started in 1989 after the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 lives were lost at the stadium.
The police and The Sun newspaper blamed Liverpool fans for being drunk and reckless. As expected, this wasn’t well received and dwindled the relationship between everyone involved. Since then, vendors have even refused to sell this paper on the city’s streets.
As recently as 2017, Liverpool fans denied The Sun’s reporters from accessing the Anfield stadium. This is despite The Sun newspaper apologizing to the Liverpool fans for their remarks. It’s one of the oldest rivalries between a football club and a newspaper agency.
11. A British Newspaper was Tipped about JFK’s Assassination
Twenty-five minutes before the assassination of JFK, a British newspaper was called and asked to phone the American Embassy for some big news. This led to more controversy surrounding the leader’s death. The newspaper involved was the Cambridge News.
12. Abraham Lincoln Shut Down Opposition Newspapers in His Time
Seen by many as a hero, President Abraham Lincoln was not a big fan of opposition. When he was in power, he signed off on the arrest and imprisonment of several newspaper editors and closed their companies.
13. Eleanor Roosevelt Held Press Conferences with Only Female Journalists
To encourage newspapers to hire more women, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt only had press conferences with female journalists.