Encyclopaedia Britannica - 10 Historical Facts About Print Editions - as part of the news and politics series by GeoBeats.

Encyclopaedia Britannica recently announced that it will stop publishing print editions. Here are 10 historical facts about the iconic publication:

Number 10 - It was first published in Scotland in the year 1768. To get a sense of timing, this was 8 years before the US Declaration of Independence was signed.

Number 9 - William Smellie compiled the first edition at the age of 28 and was paid 200 pounds sterling.

Number 8 - The first edition was sold for 12 pounds sterling.

Number 7 - James Tytler who wrote a large part of the 2nd edition, was rescued from debtors' prison for this job.

Number 6 - Over the years, many nobel prize winners and world leaders like Bill Clinton have contributed on expert topics.

Number 5 - In their quest for learning, many people have spent months and even years to read the whole publication. Shah of Persia in 1797 was one of them.

Number 4 - Richard Evelyn Byrd took Encyclopedia Brittanica as his reading material for a five-month South Pole trip in 1934.

Number 3 - Although carrying a high price point, its prestige led many middle class families in the mid-20th century to buy in monthly payments.

Number 2 - 1990 was the peak in terms of its sales when 120,000 copies were sold.

Number 1 - Its last edition from 2010 collectively weighs 129 pounds and costs $1400.