Files under General | Feb
2nd
Well, nothing’s really new.
What you have here is not a ancient prototype of a pocket or portable newspaper reader.
It is, according this marvelous blog, the hornbook, an educational device for children that came into use in the 15th century.
Originally, paper was a scarce and expensive commodity so a piece of wood (usually, but other materials were used) shaped like a bat held a sheet on which the alphabet, letter pairs and a religious verse was written.
To protect the paper (or vellum) a sheet of thin transparent cow horn was placed over the top or sometimes the page was painted with varnish.
A hole was often put through the handle so the book could be tied to the child’s belt.