Lab Creates Copy of ‘Fahrenheit 451’ That Can Only Be Read When You Add Heat to It

Heat Sensitive Book Fahrenheit 451

Holland-based Charles Nypels Laboratory, part of the Jan van Eyck Academie—an institute for fine art and design—has created a heat-sensitive edition of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Developed in collaboration with graphic design collective, Super Terrain, the lab-made pages are covered in what appears to be a soot-black, screen-printed layer. Words are only revealed when a high temperature is applied.

Published in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 by American writer Ray Bradbury is set in a dystopian America, where books are prohibited and firemen are ordered to burn any that are found. Besides the plot, the inspiration behind this new experimental edition may be found in the book's tagline, which reads “Fahrenheit 451 – the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns.”

The creators shared a video on Instagram demonstrating how the fireproof fiction works, and even mentioned in the comments that they plan to put the experimental book into production.

This book can only be read when you add heat to the pages.

A post shared by Jo Frenken (@charlesnypelslab) on

Jan van Eyck Academie: Website | Instagram | Facebook 
h/t : [Open Culture]

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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