The different sciences and arts were 'digested into distinct treatises or systems,' of which there are 45 with cross headings, that is, titles printed across the page, and about 30 other articles more than three pages long. It was compiled, as the title-page says, on a new plan.

New reference sources, such as academic journals, textbooks, specialized publications, and electronic resources, have redefined the demand for the print encyclopedia although a print edition is still available, the Britannica has evolved primarily into electronic versions on CD-ROM, DVD and the World Wide Web. The Britannica has survived fierce competition from an ever-increasing number of alternative information sources. During this era, the Britannica gained its erudite reputation and had a unique position in English-speaking culture. It was one of the first printed English encyclopedias and today is the oldest continuously published English-language encyclopedia in the world.įrom the late 18th century to the early 20th century, Britannica's articles were often judged as the foremost authority on a topic, and sometimes included new research or theory intended for a scholarly audience. Regarded as one of the most important and widely recognized reference works in the English language, the encylopedia was first published progressively from 1768–71 as Encyclopædia Britannica, or, A dictionary of arts and sciences, compiled upon a new plan. The Encyclopædia Britannica (properly spelled with the æ ligature) is a general encyclopedia published by the privately held Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. Related subjects: General Literature Encyclopædia Britannica

Encyclopedia britannica 1999