Espresso Book Machine Analysis

Coffee and books seem to coexist in a symbiotic relationship in the twenty-first century. The local Barnes and Noble no doubt has a Starbucks inside, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while reading a novel. Perhaps that is why the Espresso Book Machine has a homage to the delightful substance in its very name. More likely it’s due to the claim that this machine can print a paperback book “‘in less time than it takes to make and enjoy a caramel macchiato’”3. Although the validity of that statement relies on the technological performance capabilities as compared to the skill of the barista preparing the drink and the rate at which the drinker partakes in the beverage, the speed is still astonishing. Despite the subjective nature of coffee consumption …show more content…
Arlitsch mentions that “paired with speedy scanning technology, such as the Kirtas Book Scanner, it is now becoming much more possible to offer personal copies of original source materials to academics and laypersons alike.”2 This would make it possible for the common person to have a copy of old texts that may be scarce, perhaps even texts that are too fragile to handle in their original state. The average consumer may not be interested in personal copies of old manuscripts, but this may appeal to a smaller market and therefore increase the potential of the Espresso Book Machine becoming widespread. Overall the Espresso Book Machine is a fascinating prospect when it comes to new methods of printing. Although its performance on a large scale may not be practical, this machine has many features that could have a viable use in the future of printing. The potential for customizable books, and self-publishing opportunities alone could launch this technology into the realm of widely commercialized machinery. At the very least the odd name of the machine could spark interest in the average consumer, who might already enjoy a cup of coffee when reading a