The inaugural ceremony for Springer-Verlag: History of a Scientific Publishing House: Part 1: 1842-1945 Foundation Maturation Adversity, translated by He Mingxing, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), took place at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) on June 21.

The inaugural ceremony for Springer-Verlag: History of a Scientific Publishing House: Part 1: 1842-1945 Foundation Maturation Adversity takes place at the 30th BIBF on June 21, 2024. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

This book not only enriches the understanding of the global publishing industry's history among the general public, but also provides invaluable firsthand academic research materials for the development of the publishing discipline, said Zhao Haiyun, an official from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. 

The book fills the gap in the research field and is of significant importance for the Chinese publishing industry to understand international publishers, said Yuan Jun, director of BFSU’s academic committee. 

Zhang Zhiqiang, executive deputy director of the Publishing Research Institute at Nanjing University and deputy chair of the National Steering Committee for Professional Degree of the Publishing Program in China, emphasized the book's contribution to advancing publishing discipline construction in China by facilitating the adoption of advanced international publishing concepts and practices. 

He Mingxing gave an analysis of the book, titled "The Role and Values of Publishing Institutions from the Perspective of Knowledge Production: Lessons and Insights from Springer-Verlag’s Experience". 

Springer-Verlag: History of a Scientific Publishing House: Part 1: 1842-1945 Foundation Maturation Adversity vividly narrates the publisher's journey from its inception and development to rebirth in adversity, showcasing its transformation from a family-run publisher to a leading global scientific publishing house. 

It portrays the historical context of over a century of scientific development in Germany, encompassing medicine, machinery, engineering, electrical engineering and other fields. Intertwined within are the remarkable stories of Springer-Verlag persevering through adversity during World War I and World War II, organizing the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge without fear of difficulties and obstacles. A wealth of little-known publishing history is introduced to Chinese readers for the first time. 

The book also covers the interplay of interests among German book publishers, distributors and retailers, as well as the formation of book prices in Germany.

Participants in the inaugural ceremony pose for a group photo on June 21, 2024. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]