The 1828 dictionary by Noah Webster is clearly in public domain. However, it is important to recognize that publishers of the facsimile reprint can make copyright claims. For this reason, it is imperative that a public domain source is located and provided to do a full edit and update of the first american dictionary. Task::Access is to digitize the 1828 dictionary from microfilm from a major university library. The result will be a very large PDF with scans for each page. Although it is beyond our control if some volunteers use their facsimile dictionary to make editions, we (as a foundation) have provided a public domain source for the volunteers to use.

The first American dictionary needs to be put in a modern data format, so that more information can be extracted from each entry. As such, Task::XML involves taking the original dictionary and putting the original contents into a data structure know as XML. Although there are several technical data formats for dictionary entries, the purpose of this project is to try and capture the data structure Noah Webster used in his 1828 dictionary. As such, lots of work needs to be done to put each definition into this format. A beta demonstration of this is available on the dictionary website as the “Word of the Day.” Over 300 words have been initially placed in this XML format to demonstrate the richness of the new data structure. The database has over 60,000 unique spelled words, so there is a lot of work to be done.

The richness of XML will allow us to create custom applications (iPhone, Google gadgets, etc.) as well as puts the data in a form that can be rebuilt in digital form (PDFs of Words of the Week) or print form (e.g., Project::Reprint).

An admin tool has been created to update the current database and create an XML structure of the 1828 dictionary. When complete, this new data structure will be the basis for new accessibility options for the first dictionary of the american language.

Volunteers will need to compare the XML structure to the actual dictionary, make notes and comments as necessary. Anyone can volunteer and use the tool to contribute at some level. We are in the process of developing some tutorial pages/videos on how the admin tool works. Please go to the main site and login to donate your time.

As the data gets refined, scholars with specialties will be most especially helpful:

• Strong’s Concordance (Greek and Hebrew)
• Greek Language
• Hebrew Language
• Persian Language (Noah Webster comments in the conclusion that the words are wrong?!?)
  
• Blue Letter Bible
• Etymology

The reprint of the original dictionary (1828) may include some accolades from his contemporaries that was later published in 1840, the second dictionary of the american language. An extensive biography of the life of Noah Webster (page 22) was written by the new editor Chauncey Goodrich. In a few weeks, this biography will be available in searchable text format. If the preface of the 1840 (1856 or 1858 dictionary, depending on how you count) interests you, a large PDF scan is available (4 MB).

This Dictionary, like all others of the kind, must be left, in some degree, imperfect; for what individual is competent to trace to their source, and define in all their various applications, popular, scientific, and technical, seventy or eighty thousand words! It satisfies my mind that I have done all that my health, my talents, and my pecuniary means, would enable me to accomplish. I present it to my fellow-citizens, not with frigid indifference, but with my ardent wishes for their improvement and their happiness; and for the continued increase of the wealth, the learning of the moral and religious elevation of character, and the glory, of my country.
To that great and benevolent Being, who, during the preparation of this work, has sustained a feeble constitution, amidst obstacles and toils, disappointments, infirmities and depression, who has borne me and my manuscripts in safety across the Atlantic, and given me strength and resolution to brin the work to a close, I would present the tribute of my most grateful acknowledgements. And if the talent which he intrusted to my care, has not been put to the most profitable use in his service, I hope it has not been “kept laid up in a napkin,” and that anyy misapplication of it may be graciously forgiven.

New Haven.

NOAH WEBSTER.

Only 2500 copies of the first American dictionary were ever sold. Today, may by the reprint of the facsimile edition for over $60. Our goal is to do a modern reprint for under $25 (The paperback edition may be under $15). In order to accomplish this, a full edit needs to occur. This requires a “public domain” version to be used in the new printing. Many libraries carry the microfilm of the dictionary (American Culture Series, Reel 335.6-336.1, Michigan University Microfilms); however, this microfilm needs to be digitized in PDF format. My library has the microfilm, but does not have a microfilm roll scanner.

If you would like to help, we have two ways to make this happen. One, we can find someone at a library who has the correct equipment (it takes less than two hours to scan an entire microfilm roll if done correctly). Two, we can raise money to purchase a roll scanner (~$10,000) and donate it to the university library I currently can access. A third solution may be a hybrid: if your library allows you to check it out, we could send the rolls to a scanning service (~$800).

Please share your ideas by replying to this message.

The first vision, Vision::Reprint, has an intent to make a modern printing of the first dictionary of the American language available to the public for under $25. To accomplish this, several tasks are being considered. The first task, Task::Access, involves the digitizing of the original 1828 dictionary. The dictionary is available in microfilm (American Culture Series, Reel 335.6-336.1, Michigan University Microfilms) at many universities. To digitize the microfilm as a batch process requires a special scanner. The foundation intends to serve as the vehicle to find people interested in executing the visions to provide assistance as they are able. In this instance, members of the community can contribute by contacting their local library, finding out if the microfilm is available, and finding out if the library has the batch scanner. Once the images are captured (will only take two hours or so with the right equipment), the PDF scans will be made available online to allow others to contribute to the next necessary task: editing and proofing of the content. Following successful completion of this task, other tasks will follow relating to typography, typesetting, and printing.