Atlas of America for the blind from 1837 (11 images)

Posted by on May 24, 2012 in Books, Graphic Design, History, Interactive, Vintage

This is one of the coolest things I’ve come across in a long time:  an atlas of the United States created for the blind – in 1837.

No ink was used in the making of this atlas, as the content is created by way of embossing so the blind could feel their way around.  It was made for children at the New England Institute for the Education of the Blind in Boston, and is pretty awesome.

It’s wild that this is from 1837, I suppose I assumed they didn’t make books for the blind back then.  Let alone atlases.  Perhaps some further reading is in order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[via DavidRumseyHistoricalMapCollection]

 

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