The National Paper and Type Company and the business of Panamericanism

• In Event: Revisiting the Panamerican Movement

Abstract

In 1900, the National Paper and Type Company was created to distribute paper, printing machinery, inks, types and all kinds of raw materials for printers throughout Latin America. The company, was the exclusive distributor of one of the most important inventions of the modern times: the Mergenthaler linotype, that revolutionized the printing industry of newspapers. The main goal of the National paper was to expand the commerce of these manufactures, produced mainly in the eastern coast of the United States. Printed paper, though, was the vehicle for ideas. It was the body and essence of books, magazines and newspapers. Having that cultural and social importance, the market of the company was, at the end of the road, the Latin American public sphere.
Having a very clear idea of the role that their business could play in the world that grew, developed and shook itself below the Rio grande, the company promoted and defended the values of Panamericanism to foster two specific fields of influence. It led the way for the development in Latin American societies of a style of journalism modeled after the tradition of the United States. Linked to this effort to sculpt the format and content of the most influential publications, the company encouraged a particular feature of printed advertising that pretended to spread the intented values and virtues of the North American business culture.
In this work, I will explore the specific elements, ideas and cultural values that this particular example of the Panamerican way of doing business.

Author

• Ana Maria Serna, Instituto José María Luis Mora