subject: On The Development Of A Favorite Pastime [print this page] To amuse themselves, individuals have resorted to distinct means. Some go cliff-diving; others choose surfing in shark-infested waters. Others still might select tamer quests like origami or bonsai. But the truly old-time-American will certainly choose scrapbooking.
Scrapbooking as we understand it was actually developed by the British in the 15th century. Back then, scrapbooks were known as "commonplace books" as they were meant to compile items that were, definitely, commonplace. Such items could include quotations, recipes, cinema tickets, pressed flowers, locks of hair, and even carnival scenes or coats of arms. With the surge and widespread availability of photography, these commonplace products began to consist of images and snapshots.
Thomas Jefferson is known as the very first American to delight in this hobby when the commonplace book just arrived in the country. He utilized his scrapbook as a referential product, filling it up with paper clippings about his campaign and eventual presidency. Mark Twain and Rutherford Hayes were noteworthy individuals who took scrapbooking as a pastime as well.
Scrapbooking took an unforeseen turn for the worse in the early part of the 20th century due to the downturn brought about by the First World War. The rise of photography also added to the pastime's decline up till the 80's, when a woman named Marielen Christensen brought the joy of scrapbooks back using the display of her very own personal collection50 volumes of family memories each compiled as a special scrapbook.
By the beginning of the 90's, and with designs and ideas sprouting out of the woodwork at a fast pace, scrapbooks were back in full force. Scrapbook stores catered to massive needs for brand-new and enticing scrapbooks, as these hobbyists continuously tried to up-end each other with brand-new and innovative designs. This helped to bring scrapbook into the main stage.
Modern-day scrapbooks are different from the commonplace books of yore. Today's scrapbooks feature more than news. They frequently include photos of important events, locations people have actually been to, and things that are important. There are different themes for them too. There are motifs for lovers as well as for households. And in recent times, with the development of the Internet, passionate enthusiasts can even buy scrapbook supplies online.
With the rapid growing clamor for more scrapbook innovations and as people become more voracious for more and more details each day, it's safe to surmise that scrapbook stores won't face the same threat that they did in the past. For more relevant reading, please go to the Internet for great websites.
