A lot has changed in the printing industry since the 1930′s.
An interesting note in this video is the reference to Dragon’s Blood. Although Dragon’s Blood has several different sources and several different uses, this consignment was to be used in photoengraving. Photoengraving is the act of taking a flat copper, zinc or magnesium plate, burning an image on it, and then etching the plate with chemicals to eat away the unwanted portions of the plate material. This would leave a raised area on the plate that would be inked and printed from.
Dragon’s Blood is acid resistant, and is used to reinforce the coating that the engraving plates have on them. This photo sensitive coating is exposed to a bright light, and any imperfections in the plate are touched up with Dragon’s Blood before they are etched.
Watch the video below to see what life was like for a printer during that time in history.