Cast-iron printing press

As the prosperous middles classes of late 18th century England wanted more access to news and information, there was a growing demand for newspapers, but traditional wooden printing presses were not strong enough to print a large run.

Charles Mahon, 3rd Earl Stanhope, was a gentleman scientist who found a solution to this problem. He invented a cast-iron press with compound levers which could withstand the pressures of repeated prints. His first design, with straight sides, still cracked during a run, but his second design, with curved sides, proved much stronger. This press was used to print The Times newspaper for most of the 19th century.

The earliest surviving example of this type of press is in Gunnersbury Park Museum. It is marked in elegant red lettering, with "5", the date "1804", together with the designer "Stanhope" and the manufacturer (Robert)"Walker". It was one of several Stanhope presses used by the local Chiswick Press.

Stanhope was typical of many British gentlemen born into the Age of Enlightenment, who used their power and wealth to forward scientfic enquiry. His press did much to further the spread of knowledge.