Encyclopaedia Britannica, or, A dictionary of arts and sciences

Originally sponsored by "a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland", this was in fact simply an Edinburgh trio of the editor William Smellie, the engraver Andrew Bell, and Colin Macfarquahar the printer.

Amazingly, this milestone in the history of encyclopaedia making was first issued in one hundred parts in less than three years.

Inspired by the success of Diderot's Encyclopedie , the three Scotsmen hoped to improve on its short-comings.

It was the first English-language compendium to be called an encyclopaedia, and unlike rival publications it was published in quarto rather than the usual octavo or folio format.

More importantly the encyclopaedia was compiled on a completely new plan, alphabetically arranged, combining easy reference to individual items, terms and minor topics.

It was a pioneering way to organize and disseminate learning.

Given the speed of publication and the small jack-of-all-trades team involved, the first edition could not hope to rival the Encyclopedie in terms of scholarship.

But it was shrewdly planned and executed, providing the basis for the more elaborate and lavishly-produced editions that continue to this day.