Science and Printing: The Journal That Started Peer Review

Every scientific paper published today, in whatever field, follows a format shaped by one printed periodical launched in London in 1665. Strip away the science, and it's a booklet — the same physical format businesses still use for reports today.

The World's Oldest Scientific Journal

Philosophical Transactions, launched in March 1665 by Henry Oldenburg, the first Secretary of the Royal Society, is the world's oldest continuously published scientific journal. Its real innovation wasn't just publishing results — it was establishing print as proof of priority: whoever published a discovery first, in a dated, distributed, citable document, got the credit. That single idea underpins the entire modern system of scientific publishing.

From Priority to Peer Review

Formal refereeing, having other experts check a paper before it's published, became routine at the Royal Society by the 1830s, but didn't become a global standard practice until the mid-20th century. The gap between the two is worth noting: the printed journal existed for nearly two centuries before peer review, as we'd recognise it today, became standard practice.

Still a Booklet, Underneath It All

Strip away the prestige and a scientific journal issue is, physically, a periodical booklet — the same basic format as a company report, a club newsletter or a conference programme. What's changed since 1665 is scale and speed, not the underlying object.

Where This Shows Up in What We Print

Reports, newsletters and periodical-style booklets are exactly what our booklet printing range covers, in wiro-bound, perfect-bound or stapled formats.

Frequently asked questions

What is the oldest scientific journal still published?

Philosophical Transactions, launched in March 1665 by Henry Oldenburg for the Royal Society, is the world's oldest continuously published scientific journal.

When did peer review become standard?

Formal refereeing became routine at the Royal Society by the 1830s, but only became a global norm across science by the mid-20th century.

Do you print reports or periodical-style booklets?

Yes, in wiro-bound, perfect-bound or stapled formats, through our business stationery range.