Let’s get ice cream!

_Elsa_

The girls see an ice cream truck ahead and Tiffi makes a mad dash to get in line.

She asks the girls if they would like something, her treat! Elsa tells her that she would like a popsicle. Betty doesn’t want anything and Tiffi gets an ice cream cone with 2 scoops of ice cream. They continue on their way and now that Tiffi’s throat is no longer dry she wants to share more Google information about encyclopedias. 

‘Its original stated purpose was to be a comprehensive reference work and educational tool. By 1974, however, the publishers declared their wish for it to “systematize all human knowledge.” Reviewers and institutions seemed to believe that it had succeeded. Libraries throughout America would seek budget increases from town councils whenever a new edition was published. Time Magazine once called it “The patriarch of the library.” But, most importantly, the average person bought it.

Ownership and publishing rights of the Britannica have changed hands many times, but it achieved an American foothold after World War I, when it was purchased by Sears Roebuck and Co. which was already selling the encyclopedia through its mail-order catalogues. Offices were relocated to Chicago in 1920 and, by the end of the decade, 2000 salesmen across the US were selling it door-to-door on a commission of between $500 – $600 for each successful sale. Considering that this was the beginning of The Great Depression, such a paycheck was indeed lucrative! The problem, however, was that the lure of such a paycheck led to unscrupulous sales tactics, and the legend of the unsavory encyclopedia salesman was born.

So much information was packed into the Encyclopedia Britannica that it required two volumes just as an index! In all, the last printed version in 2010 amounted to 32 volumes and over 32,000 pages, at an estimated weight of 140 pounds!

You can still read it today in digital format. You won’t be able to rest it on your chest as you read it, however. And no salesman will ring your doorbell. Still, what price would you pay for all the knowledge of the world at your fingertips?’ (Info here) 

The girls are impressed with all of this information. They finally make it back to town and start searching for the professor’s book. 

Let’s continue here - The girls find the missing book

Start at the beginning – Someone is stealing the words