History of ScrapbookingHistory of scrapbooking covers the importance of the craft from a historical perspective. It is about an appreciation of those who came before us, our histories combined. You may be wondering why the history should be included in understanding the basics of this craft. The history of anything, including modern scrapbooking, can help explain how the craft came to be, and how it has evolved. The history of scrapbooking may also explain what is scrapbooking for those of us unfamiliar with it. It also adds richness in understanding and appreciation for those who have come before us as we venture forward in understanding our own histories through the history of scrapbooking. It seems that the earliest time that modern scrapbooking can be traced is to the Renaissance period. Individuals found ways to collect quotes and favorite passages. In the 17th century these collections took on the name "commonplace books," in which were recorded personal interests, thoughts and current events. It sounds a lot like journals that are kept today. Another example that certainly makes me think of yearbooks, a present-day tradition with several high schools and colleges is a book published by William Granger in the 18th century. That book is about the history of England with an appendix of extra illustrations including blank pages at the back ready to be personalized with the readers own drawings and memorabilia.
What has become known as classic scrapbooking comes out of a time before the advent of the camera. Instead of pictures, people placed reminders of occasions such as pressed flowers, tickets, feathers, notes and letters, poems, and other forms of embellishments on their pages. History also recognizes the Mormon Church for their contribution to scrapbooking through their family and genealogy records, the largest in the world, called FamilySearch.org. If you would like to learn more about the history of scrapbooking, check out the Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking by Tracy White for a decade timeline of changes as well as The Joy of Scrapbooking by Arquette, Zocchi, and D'Agostino. One other interesting book is "Scrapbooks: An American History" by Jessica Helfand. We continue on in the rich scrapbooking legacy today carrying it into the future, changing as time has changed, yet remembering what was. Again, in defining what is scrapbooking, the 21st century brings into the definition computer applications such as Facebook and MySpace. Watch Doogie Houser and similar programming and the character is usually keeping a journal on the computer. Today, many teens keep in touch with these applications online and each one can be as individual as they are. The history of scrapbooking has shown what scrapbooking has been, what it can be and what is scrapbooking today. Find your creative definition of what is scrapbooking to you? Return to Scrapbooking Basics from History of Scrapbooking Return from History of Scrapbooking to Homepage New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
