Movie Matinee: A to Z – The First Alphabet and How Writing Changed the World

Movie Matinee: A to Z – The First Alphabet and How Writing Changed the World
Tuesday, October 28th 1:00 p.m.

Discover how writing—and eventually printing—revolutionized the spread of information, and why it still matters to you today. In this two-part series, you’ll uncover how writing first emerged, and how it led to the alphabet you use every day. Travel back 4,000 years to a turquoise mine where the roots of our modern letters may have first taken shape. From trade to storytelling, you’ll see how writing shaped civilizations and connected cultures across time.

Then, explore how the printing press transformed the world. Learn why a few simple letters in the Latin alphabet gave Europe a head start during the Renaissance—and how moveable type laid the foundation for the scientific revolution and, eventually, the digital age. Get ready to see just how deeply writing and printing have influenced the way you live, learn, and share ideas today. The films are each about 54 minutes in length, rated G and made possible through public performance rights by Kanopy.