The study of Z. G. Steinberg traces the history of typesetting from its origin in the XV century in the Gutenberg workshop to radical innovations, technical innovations of the XX century, from the origin and formation of all the characteristic qualities of printing to new methods of production, distribution of books and constantly changing habits of readers. The author in his observations talks about the era of mechanization, which began with the invention of lithography, examines font design, censorship, the relationship of printing and education with language and literature.