Capsule History of the Broadside
Capsule History of the Broadside by David Abel
The term “broadside” usually refers to a single sheet of paper, printed on one side only, often featuring a combination of text and illustration. Broadsides (also known as broadsheets) were among the most common printed materials from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, especially in Britain, Ireland, and North America, and their content ranged from official proclamations and news to scandalous stories and popular ballads.
Because the broadside in its early days was a quick and cheap way to circulate timely information (often selling for just a penny), it has often been compared to whatever form of instant communication is current; today, the email blast or tweet might be likened to the broadside.
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