Book excerpt: 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.