Penguin Books

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ps/123/188/1231886_300.jpg < image reference at this link.

Penguin books is a book publishing company that is based in the city of Westminster, United Kingdom.
Founded in the summer of 1935, it's first published works included authors such as Ernest Hemmingway and Agatha Christie.
Penguin changed the way the public saw books, as the prices for books were greatly reduced by them, this is due to the paperback book, and its mass production. paperback books were available before Penguin, however their quality was poor.

Starting from 1936, penguin sold a record breaking 3 million paperback books within 1 year.

http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/aboutus/aboutpenguin_companyhistory.html < image reference at this link.

"'The Penguin Books are splendid value for sixpence, so splendid that if other publishers had any sense they would combine against them and suppress them"
George Orwell  

'If a book is any good, the cheaper the better'
Bernard Shaw

'A Penguin could fit into a soldier's pocket or his kit bag ... It was especially prized in prison camps'
Martin Bell

(Quote references from < http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/aboutus/aboutpenguin_companyhistory.html)

In 1937 Penguin moved to Harmondsworth, and in 1937, the company launched the 'Penguin Shakespeare series and the Pelican imprint' 

In the run up to world war 2, Penguin's published book entitled, "What Hitler Wants" broke records for how many copies were sold to the public. Penguin also started an "Armed Forces Book Club", which was well received by soldiers on duty, and made them feel closer to family and friends, as well as feel more at home.In 1940, a specialist devision was created specifically designed to publish children's picture books in the non-fiction genre. 

In 1970, the founder of penguin books, Sir Allen Lane, died which resulted in many figures from the literary world giving tribute. Also in 1970, the company was bought by the international media group.

In 1993, the company launched a service called "Penguin Audiobooks", which brought a number of previously published scripts, and brought traditionally printed books into a whole new market, as books were now introduced to a listening audience, and puffin used many famous voice actors to read out their supported titles. Also, notably Penguin was the first trade publisher to have a website. The website I will note at the bottom of the page.

In 1996, Penguin took a 51% stake in 'Rough Guides', Rough Guides is a travel and music publisher, and in 2002, Penguin absorbed the entire company. Also, the Dorling Kindersley company was wholly acquired by Penguin in 2000.

Today, Penguin has offices in over 15 different companies, making it one of the most largest book publishers in the world. In July 2012, Penguin took over the self-publishing company 'Author Solutions inc'.

In 2013, Penguin and the Random House company united to create 'Penguin Random House', notably the world’s first global trade book publisher.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.penguin.co.uk/ < link to Penguin's official webpage.

http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/aboutus/aboutpenguin_companyhistory.html < research reference at this link.

Thomas.