Original manuscript of Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' unrolled

The original manuscript of Jack Kerouac's novel On The Road was displayed to the public at the British Library in London in 2012.
The 120 feet (36.6m) scroll was written over a period of three weeks in April 1951.
Kerouac typed onto rolls of paper which were taped together into a long scroll so he did not have to halt his creative flow.
The manuscript was on loan to the museum from the collection of James S. Irsay. Copyright: Estate of Anthony G. Sampatacacus and the Estate of Jan Kerouac.
- I filmed and edited this piece for the BBC

[@BoxcarJohnnie]

I Read On The Road in 1960's it Literally Ruled my Life! I went on the road in 1967 to Los Angeles, 17 Years old looking for the Little Mexican Girl, in 1968 I had hitch hiked to Wisconsin & found the Mexican Girl in Jack's book, but after 5 Years & Two Children I was off on the Road Again. I am 71 Years old now in Senior Housing, Tenderloin Area of San Francisco (Of Course!) and OMG this brings back """"Memmmooories""" Galore!

[@andrewshaw7343]

The absence of gloves is making me wince.

[@StephenDedalus74]

Who knows, maybe this guy has the cleanest hands in the world ?? ;)

[@joejones9520]

if you knew about book collecting youd know why you shouldnt wince

[@andrewshaw7343]

@@joejones9520 If you knew about punctuation, I might listen.

[@markusmanstroma3156]

It's been said on here already a few times but I will say it also...why is he not wearing gloves...this is an almost holy manuscript!

[@joejones9520]

less likely to cause damage with the dexterity of bare hands than with the awkwardness of gloves

[@markusmanstroma3156]

@@joejones9520 yes I’ve since discovered that and it makes sense! 🙂

[@katevielle4263]

He should've wore gloves, that's a piece of history right there!

[@ayr1225]

Spicy miso ramen for breakfast is good.

[@TheEmptyAir]

Generally when handling modern paper, conservators will do without gloves since it lessens the sensitivity in your fingers, and you're more likely twist or - god forbid - rip the object without realising you're doing so.

[@tomjbeal]

A few people have asked a good question - 'why isn't he wearing gloves when he handles the scroll?' According to Portland State University: "Contrary to widespread belief, gloves are not necessarily recommended to handle rare or valuable books." library.pdx.edu/news/the-proper-handling-of-rare-books-manuscripts/

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

But I would think that out of respect for the author and the manuscript and all things Beat, a conservator should actually try to roll out the manuscript without touching it at all, gloves or not. Just like where, at the Beat Museum in San Francisco, there is a sign in front of the car that they used to travel across the country, saying, "Please don't disturb the dust."

[@louietaylor4563]

I believe the scientific response is Poppycock, sir.

[@BlueScarecrow]

Shouldn't he be wearing gloves?

[@jeffreymorris11]

Exactly what I thought. A conservator should know this!

[@louietaylor4563]

True.

[@joejones9520]

drink

[@smithsmithy4817]

Having the British explain Kerouac is like asking a fish to teach you to ride a bike.

[@grayarea7445]

Gloves…perhaps?

[@vocopherpractice6789]

Incredible . . . I will never forget going to Lowell.

[@stevenglansburg856]

Let it roll out in one stationary spot in a glass case.

[@markhammill6350]

What? No gloves?

[@michelleabraham9660]

Professional paper and book conservators do not wear gloves when executing treatment or installing works; we need full feeling in our fingers and dexterity. We wash our hands frequently.

[@RichR65Ct]

I thought the same thing,sheesh.

[@joejones9520]

@@michelleabraham9660 finally a sane voice

[@michelleabraham9660]

@@joejones9520 gosh, I hope so since it’s my actual job 🤣. There are exceptions-when working on metals, for example, gloves are typically worn, as even clean hands exude oils/chemicals that can have an effect.

[@johnroulson891]

Several years ago the "On The Road" scroll toured England I took a day off work and travelled from where i
live in Sheffield to The Barber Institute of Fine Arts at University of Birmingham. Very enjoyable!

[@hamfood9658]

beautiful!!

[@joejones9520]

amazing!

[@thomasLivesInANewCountryNow]

This needed to be a longer video.

[@michaelt7209]

I cant believe he wrote all of that monospace and no breaks, that would scare any gradeschool kid from reading lmao

[@danielcolon9809]

So cool 📜

[@jeffbryan3224]

WOW...I read about it but didn't think that much of it...This scroll is really SOMETHING! JK designed technology to keep up with HIM! I also didn't know he could type THAT fast! On a MANUAL typewriter yet!

[@lovelybarrientos3254]

It'd be so awesome to have an exact replica of this.. but I'd give anything to own the original !

[@geoffreylogsdon162]

I think it was published recently.

[@seannorton69]

Why is he allowed to not wear gloves? WTF?

[@Illustrantology]

I saw it in Paris in an exhibition of Pompidou Museum ...

[@sweethanoirose]

Does anyone know what year Jim Irsay bought the scroll and how he acquired it?

[@roberttosa2560]

YES! YES! YES!!!

[@stourleykracklite7663]

In Indianapolis? For the Super Bowl? Ah, dada..

[@billlloyd4029]

"That's not writing, that's typing." -- Truman Capote

[@tomjbeal]

“full of bull on every page.” Jack Kerouac

[@geoffreylogsdon162]

Yawn. Yes we have all heard that stupid quote, Mr. Intellectual.
Racking my brain to think of all of the great Truman Capote books that were the cultural equivalent of Sgt. Pepper in the 50s. Oh yes, there was that one written mostly by Harper Lee.

[@ayr1225]

Cocaine is a hell of drug.

[@TheMostBoringGuy]

Amphetamines

[@geoffreylogsdon162]

Benzedrine. Coke was not a thing in Beat circles.

[@kervilou5905]

c'est le moins bon, et le plus connu !!!!!!

[@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488]

Meth

[@geoffreylogsdon162]

Benzedrine

[@Munoz1927]

it´s fake!

[@u2be1201]

You lost the election too