Project Gutenberg 4 July 1971 - 4 July 2011: Album

"Project Gutenberg 4 July 1971 - 4 July 2011: Album" by Marie Lebert is a historical account written in the early 21st century. The book commemorates the 40-year anniversary of Project Gutenberg, the first digital library initiative aimed at making literary works freely accessible to the public. It details the development and milestones of Project Gutenberg, starting from its inception in 1971 and highlighting key achievements in digital publishing and the democratization of literature. The book outlines the origins of Project Gutenberg, initiated by Michael Hart, who uploaded the United States Declaration of Independence as the first eBook. It chronicles the exponential growth of digital texts, the establishment of Distributed Proofreaders, notable additions to the eBook collection, and the impact of the internet on accessing literature. Lebert emphasizes the collaborative effort of volunteers and the evolution of technology that enabled the extensive digitization and distribution of literature. The album serves as both a tribute to this revolutionary project and a reflection on its ongoing mission to provide free access to information and culture.