Ottmar Mergenthaler {1854-1899} revolutionized the publishing industry in 1886 by inventing the Linotype. He had worked for an entire decade, registering several dozen patents in the process, to develop his machine. This mechanical marvel enabled a single operator to cast lead type and set it, while typing at a keyboard. The Linotype was dramatically quicker and less costly than setting type by hand. This invention brought rapid expansion to all areas of publishing, giving more people than ever before access to news, literature, and other information.