Penguin Books

Penguin Books

Penguin Books is a British publishing house founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane. It is known for its distinctive paperback format and its role in making high-quality literature affordable and accessible to the general public. Penguin Books is a subsidiary of Penguin Random House, a global publishing company.

History

Penguin Books was established in 1935 by Allen Lane, his brothers Richard and John, and V. K. Krishna Menon. The company was founded with the aim of making good-quality literature available to everyone at an affordable price. The idea was conceived when Lane was returning from a weekend in Devon and found himself at Exeter railway station with nothing to read. He noticed that the only books available were low-quality paperbacks and decided to create a series of high-quality paperbacks that would be sold at the same price as a packet of cigarettes.

The first ten titles were published in July 1935, and they included works by Ernest Hemingway, André Maurois, and Agatha Christie. The books were color-coded: orange for fiction, green for crime, and blue for biography. This color-coding system became a hallmark of Penguin Books.

Impact and Influence

Penguin Books revolutionized the publishing industry by demonstrating that there was a mass market for serious literature. The company's success encouraged other publishers to produce their own paperback lines, leading to a significant increase in the availability of literature to the general public.

Penguin also played a crucial role in the Paperback Revolution of the 20th century, which saw the widespread adoption of paperback books as a popular format. This revolution made books more accessible and affordable, contributing to increased literacy and education levels.

Notable Series and Imprints

Penguin Books has published a wide range of series and imprints over the years, including:

• Penguin Classics: A series of classic literature from around the world, featuring works by authors such as Homer, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens.
• Pelican Books: A series of non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, aimed at educating the general public.
• Puffin Books: An imprint focused on children's literature, publishing works by authors such as Roald Dahl and Eric Carle.

Design and Branding

The design of Penguin Books has been a significant factor in its success. The original covers were designed by Edward Young, featuring a simple layout with the title and author's name in a bold font, and the iconic penguin logo. The design was both eye-catching and practical, making the books easily recognizable.

The penguin logo, designed by Young, has become one of the most recognizable logos in the publishing world. It has undergone several redesigns over the years but has always retained its core identity.

Controversies and Challenges

Penguin Books has faced several controversies and challenges throughout its history. One of the most notable was the Lady Chatterley's Lover trial in 1960, where Penguin was prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act for publishing D. H. Lawrence's novel. The trial was a landmark case in the history of British publishing and resulted in a victory for Penguin, marking a significant moment in the fight against censorship.

Also see

• Penguin Random House
• Paperback Revolution
• Allen Lane
• Lady Chatterley's Lover trial
• Penguin Classics