Lesson plan

Vandercook

Vandercook & Sons was a manufacturer of proof presses, founded in 1909 by Robert Vandercook. They dominated the 20th century proof press industry by developing the first and the most widely used proof presses that did not rely on gravity for the force of their impression. As a result, Vandercook's geared presses were easier and more precise for an operator to use. Vandercook was sold in 1968 to the Illinois Tool Works, when it became Vandersons. The company changed hands many times and is now called NA Graphics, a letterpress supply house, located in Silverton, Colorado.

Back to article

Article summary

Vandercook & Sons was a manufacturer of proof presses, founded in 1909 by Robert Vandercook. They dominated the 20th century proof press industry by developing the first and the most widely used proof presses that did not rely on gravity for the force of their impression. As a result, Vandercook's geared presses were easier and more precise for an operator to use. Vandercook was sold in 1968 to the Illinois Tool Works, when it became Vandersons. The company changed hands many times and is now called NA Graphics, a letterpress supply house, located in Silverton, Colorado.

Key claims

  1. date of foundation: 1909 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. The record states that the date of foundation is "1909". What evidence would count against this claim?
  3. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  4. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

  1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363919299

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.