Paperback Revolution: Norfolk’s ‘Modern Age Books’ and how It changed the way America Reads

Modern Age Books, founded by Norfolk’s Dick Childs in 1936, was one of the first publishers to produce paperback books in the United States. Modern Age issued progressive paperbacks in high print runs with low prices, making softcover books accessible to the pockets and purses of a new reading public. The exhibit will focus on how Childs made use of innovative illustration, printing, and distribution processes to help democratize American reading, writing, and publishing on the eve of the Second World War.