Burgard Vocational High School - Craftsman Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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iBenjamin.., Gfilranklinn t is fitting that this yearbook, printed and published in a school of print- ing, should honor the memory of Benjamin Franklin, the patron of the printing industry in these United States. This year, 1956, marks the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Franklin, january 17, 1706. It seems appropriate that Franklin should have started his apprenticeship in the printing trades at approximately the same age as the students who enter here as Freshmen. Even as Franklin, at the age of fifteen, was seeing his own articles in print in his brother's paper, so to, our students have many times had the proud occasion to see their own words appear in the various school publications. To Benjamin Franklin printing was more than a profession. It was a practical means of diffusing knowledge-the driving aspiration of his life. Because he saw the great possibilities of the graphic arts, he became one of the worldis first truly creative printers. Among his contributions to this end were the first novel printed in Americag the first newspaper cartoon, the first illustrated news story, the first medical treatise, and the most widely read essays of his day. The words, Hcompositor, pressman, typesetterf' as they apply to Franklin's early life have a familiar ring to the students of Burgard, but just as Franklin became interested in his community and his fellow man, so we at Burgard hope that our students will go forth upon graduation, better citizens and influential powers in the community and the nation. Though he won many proud titles in a long life of outstanding service, Franklin chose to be remembered above all else as a printer. His will opens with the words: I, Benjamin Franklin, Printer, later Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States . . . Printer first, and ambassador after. Long before this he had written humorously his own epitaph, using the vocabulary of his trade. The Body of B. Franklin, Printer, Clsike the Cover of an old Book The Contents torn out And stript of its Lettering and CildingD Lies here, Food for the Wornis. But the Work shall not be lost, For it will Cas he believ'dD appear once more, ln a new and more elegant Edition, Revised and Corrected By the Author. lt is our sincere hope that all Burgard students, regardless of their trade, will follow Franklin's example and tireless effort in improving his trade proficiency and his understanding of his fellow man.

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