Books, the vessels of knowledge we know today, have evolved into their current form through countless experiments over a long period of time. Before the invention of the movable-type printing press, there were merely around 10,000 books in existence across the entirety of Europe. However, following this groundbreaking invention, initial production surged to between 8 and 20 million copies. By the 16th century, this number had exploded to between 100 and 200 million, driving an unprecedented dissemination of knowledge.

Printers and printing houses of the time deliberated fiercely over how best to convey knowledge to readers through typography and illustration. A multitude of experiments took place on the printed page, and remarkably, many of the conventions established during this era remain intact in the books we read today, centuries later.

Therefore, this book aims to shed light on the "first attempts" made on the page, focusing on early printed books published between 1450—around the dawn of the movable-type printing press—and 1500. In bibliography, books from this period are referred to as Incunabula, a Latin term meaning "cradle." By tracing back to this cradle period that laid the foundation of the book, we will explore the roots of the structures we are so familiar with today, uncovering the historical backgrounds and necessities that brought them into existence.

For today's book designers and readers alike, I believe that understanding these origins provides valuable insight into the medium of the book itself, enriching the overall experience of engaging with it.