The History Of Bookends

Even the smallest things have interesting beginnings.  The history of bookends is no exception.  Delve into the story of a home library essential.

The Dark Ages

Medieval Europe is not known for a wonderful age of scholarly production.  However, it was during this time the history of bookends begins.  The first bookends were a long cry from designer Harley Davidson bookends you can find today, but they did the job.

Thank medieval monks for preserving heritage in books.  With very few exceptions, monasteries were repositories of written knowledge.  Monks spent their days endlessly copying text.  At the start, books were not shelved.  Since there were so few, books were chained to slanted surfaces and spent their lives flat.  As monks copied on, the number of books grew.

Humanism comes

At the dawn of the Renaissance, books became more accessible.  If you were wealthy, you probably had a collection.  At first, books were still stacked flat, so bookends were not necessary.  As collections grew and stacks got taller, a more convenient storage method was needed.

With mountains of books threatening avalanche, shelves were brought in to hold books in a horizontal row.  Books stood upright and ran the length of the wall, with bookends securing the collection on either side.

Return of the library

Common in ancient times, libraries were reborn during the Renaissance.  It was an age of order, and books were no exception.  As the number of books increased, shelving followed.  Of course, bookends were needed to keep volumes from toppling over.  Upright book storage looked ordered and kept precious tomes in prime condition.

Bookends today

Any necessity can possess artistic flair, and bookends are no exception.  In fact, bookends today make decorative complements in any home.  Some people have a rich collection of unique bookshelves.  Nautical bookends, English bulldog bookends, Simon and Garfunkel bookends…there is truly no limit to how a great set of bookends can be designed.

Bookends were invented out of necessity, improved for practicality, and adapted for interior accents.  This tradition still survives as a dignified addition to any room.

More information on bookends