I was at King's 1960 to 1963 so the old newspaper Fleet street was very much working. We sometimes walked along, a few yards up a sidestreet, up a couple of steps to a wooden door, which opened onto the 3rd Ring of Dante's Inferno. Below and opposite us the first editions of the evening papers were thundering down & rolling off the massive presses. You couldn't hear yourself speak but it was very exciting. I was also once allowed into the Daily Telegraph compositors' room to watch the type being set, by hand, into wooden trays. Nothing much had changed for 100 plus years.
But less than 20 after I left that world had totally vanished. I wonder if the pub we used to go to and drink mild and lemonade is still there. The Printer's Devil. I doubt it.
I was at King's 1960 to 1963 so the old newspaper Fleet street was very much working. We sometimes walked along, a few yards up a sidestreet, up a couple of steps to a wooden door, which opened onto the 3rd Ring of Dante's Inferno. Below and opposite us the first editions of the evening papers were thundering down & rolling off the massive presses. You couldn't hear yourself speak but it was very exciting. I was also once allowed into the Daily Telegraph compositors' room to watch the type being set, by hand, into wooden trays. Nothing much had changed for 100 plus years.
But less than 20 after I left that world had totally vanished. I wonder if the pub we used to go to and drink mild and lemonade is still there. The Printer's Devil. I doubt it.
Hi Susan. What a brilliant recollection! Sadly, I think you are right about the pub no longer existing. Here's a little piece I found: https://www.citypubs.co.uk/pubs/theprintersdevil.html
Ah yes, there it is. Of course it no longer exists ..but I did invent a Printer's Devil Court for a ghost story
I believe I've read that story...!