The first version of this book, Packaging Materials and Containers was
published in 1967 and was revised extensively ten years later under the
title The Packaging Media. Some thirty or so authors were involved in
producing the initial texts for these books, and I must acknowledge
their material, much of which is still valid. It is now thirteen years
since The Packaging Media-high time to take stock and incorporate the
considerable advances in materials, forms, techniques and machinery that
have taken place. In 1977, wherever possible, we asked the original
authors to carry out the revisions, but retirements and job changes have
now eliminated over twenty of the original authors. We have therefore
appointed an Editorial Board to advise on this more extensive revision,
and I wish to thank them for their detailed and helpful assistance: Dr
C. J. Mackson and Professor Y. Dagel for general comments and guidance
on the overall plan and, in particular, the Introduction (chapter 1);
Graham Gordon and Harri Mostyn for assistance with much of Part D on
Distribution Packages, and Dennis Hine and Susan Selke for their work in
respect of paperboard and plastics retail packaging, respectively. A
major contribution was made by the seventh member of the Editorial
Board, David Osborne, who advised in the area of glass.