Encyclopedia Britannica stops printing books

In another sign of the times, Encyclopedia Britannica has announced it will no longer produce its iconic multi-volume book sets. Instead, Britannica will go the way of Wikipedia and embrace the digital age.

CNN reports:

The news is sure to sadden champions of the printed word, but Britannica president Jorge Cauz said the move is a natural part of his company's evolution.

"Everyone will want to call this the end of an era, and I understand that," Cauz says. "But there's no sad moment for us. I think outsiders are more nostalgic about the books than I am."

In truth, Cauz says, the death knell sounded long ago. Though the name "Britannica" calls the print sets to mind, Cauz says they represent less than 1% of the company's total sales.

The first print edition of Encyclopedia Britannica was produced in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768.