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Be sure to vote for me in the Epilog contest, those pages would have been alot easier to cut through with a laser cutter...

I have always loved the idea of a 'ancient' looking book.
Every time I've looked in a second hand bookshop, I've never found a suitable example.

On top of that, i have always like the idea of a slightly fantastical book, something a bit sci-fi, but a bit legendary.

Films like the 9th gate, neverending story, and others, have this crazy books, happened across by someone, this is something i wanted to incorporate.

So, after making a couple of smaller books, I realized that I could easily make what i wanted.
Another idea I had seen before, but not done overly well, is that pieced together stitched look.

When talking through this with Rocketscientist, we happened across the idea of a living book, and bit by bit our creativity unfolded into one of my most epic projects to date.

Video


Epilog

The Book of Time is the ultimate time travelers companion, containing the history of everything that was, and is yet to be. The book is a self perpetuating ouroboros, seeding a smaller book, which was then taken back in time to become the book itself. There are about three instances of the book, one book exists, but has traveling from the beginning of time to the end three times, hence, 3 books can be found, but only one book exists.

The book itself is a living book, it's sense are deeply embedded into space time itself, and it grows new pages for new events. Constantly changing and evolving depending on the fluctuations of time.

The book itself is unreadable, and requires a super focused crystal diopter to read the strange 'growth patterns' on the pages. Once read, the two accompanying decoder books are needed to translate it into a form of the Anglitectro language readable by those who need to.

The power of the book lies in the ability to 're-write' time. Some events can be changed easily, others have a deep grain, and can not be changed without destroying the book itself.
 
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Step 1: Materials and Tools

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Pretty much all the materials for this project were 'reclaimed'

Materials List
  • Paper, depending on your book size, for mine I used SRA3 (320 x 450).
I got my paper from the Print works where I work, it was in the waste bin, so would have been sent off if i had not 'claimed' it. Alot of places like that have alot of waste paper which is then recycled. Most companies have no problems with you having a bit, especially if you explain what its for!

  • Thread - for the spine sewing, the leather cover, and the 'roots'
  • Glue (pva or elmers glue)
  • Spine material, I used denim, thin cotton works best.
The denim was from an old pair of jeans, an old t-shirt or other clothing is ideal!

  • (optional) Industrial Guillotine.
  • Thick Vellum, or mount card
Again, if you find the right companies, you can recycle this stuff! I got mine off pallets of paper, but another great source of spare mount board is painting framing companies, who will happily give you off cuts of mount board.

  • Leather
Any of the big leather furniture makers have alot of scraps that are no longer usable for them. Get enough scraps and you can easily piece it together like I have. No need to buy a full skin.

  • Green and brown felt tips/markers
  • Liquid Latex
  • A pebble
  • A few special metal pieces

Tools
  • Stanley knife with plenty of blades spare
  • Drill
  • Leather Awl
  • Scalpel and blades
  • Masking tape

There may be a few items i missed, in which case shout them out in the comments!
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Azzurro says: Jan 27, 2013. 2:46 AM
Cool thing, looks like Oghma Infinium. :) I'll make one for sure!
youaremyapocalypse says: Aug 1, 2011. 9:26 PM
another great design! this gave me an idea for a locking mechanism, im not sure why but it did.
Inygknok says: Mar 20, 2011. 8:13 AM
I strongly recommend using adhesion promoter and then primer. It helps paint *that* much more in holding up and durability. We use it in the automotive industry all the time for better durability. For these kinds of projects, the spray can versions work just fine.
redneckuprising says: Dec 22, 2010. 8:35 PM
Hey man, you're extremely talented. This is an awesome project. I liked it so much in fact that I decided to make my own Book of Time. Here it is!
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KaterinaYager says: Aug 12, 2010. 4:44 PM
This step is beyond me. Do you understand how hard it is to eat pie? Do you realize the time and effort that takes? Not everyone can do something so skilled. I feel like by posting this, you're just gloating that you're one of the lucky few that's capable. I can't even look at the pictures. Beyond jealousy to straight up envy right there.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to KaterinaYagerAug 13, 2010. 7:00 AM
I am sorry if my pie step has upset you. However, we all have different skills, some of us are better at some things. Anyone can learn to eat pie, it takes practice and time.

You can not just learn to eat pie over night.
KaterinaYager in reply to gmjhoweAug 13, 2010. 4:05 PM
Ain't it the truth :/
Karnivore in reply to KaterinaYagerSep 21, 2010. 2:47 PM
And as long as you're better at eating pie today than you were yesterday, you're headed for success!
GeekBeam says: Jun 20, 2010. 9:04 PM
by far my favorite epilog entry that I've seen so far. it could start a whole story, pertaining to itself. and it could record it. I already know why you can't change the more ingrained events, because it would cause a time paradox, if it changes it enough so that you don' exist then theres your paradox right there.
Omega Supreme says: Aug 7, 2009. 10:49 AM
Brilliant! I love the story behind the book most of all - very creative. Well done! Oh, and I haven't made the book but I jumped straight to step 8, I hope that's ok.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to Omega SupremeAug 7, 2009. 3:02 PM
You can have the pie, but no book. But you cannot have the book and no pie.
0000012181120 in reply to gmjhoweMar 24, 2010. 11:06 PM
Totally Agree! The most important and my favorit step! We should do more Pie moments/steps!
0000012181120 says: Mar 24, 2010. 11:01 PM
The Decoder Books (step 13) is a Good idea! It can have another application; it can be an excellent note book to place beside or just below the keyboard or the laptop. As we always have small space to place a notebook, however this kind of notebook fits perfectly.
(I know we can also take note directly on the computer... but some like me prefer taking notes on paper)
0000012181120 says: Mar 23, 2010. 6:50 PM
Wonderfull steampunk book! a perfect props!

For those wondering, "book of time" is also a trilogy book titles, of children fantasy, written by the french author Guillaume Prévost.
the book of time ISBN 978-0439883757
the gate of days ISBN 978-0439883764
the circle of gold ISBN 978-0439883771

As HG Wells, the main subject is travelling through the time, it's a kind of steampunk for kids.

I think this kind of steampunk book instructable, is a very nice material to write your own steampunk novel (handwriting), or re-write your favorite steampunk novel, and immortilize it with your own handwritting, which make a perfect props!
Colonel88 says: Feb 2, 2010. 11:06 AM
I just skimmed through this thing.
I am only going to do one t hing now.


STOPPING
FOR
PIE
rocketsurgery says: Dec 19, 2009. 10:15 PM
A really neat looking piece of art... like the idea behind it too... although... you know time is an illusion :)
PropPrintables says: Dec 19, 2009. 8:33 PM
*whistles* Yepper, one of the finer books out there. Definitely putting this on my "To do someday soon" list. :) Thanks for the ideas!
romanreb says: Nov 27, 2009. 8:10 PM
This is absolutely beautiful.   I'm an old woman and will never try to make this---no, seriously---old enough to be your grandmother---but I could spend hours just looking at the pictures.  TRULY wonderful.  Thanks.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to romanrebNov 28, 2009. 3:08 AM
 You should not doubt yourself, anything is possible, you could easily buy a book, and cover it to achieve something similar! As always, feel free to ask me for any advice.
Akiro says: Jun 26, 2009. 12:22 AM
how works
gmjhowe (author) in reply to AkiroJun 26, 2009. 7:23 AM
If you take the time to bring forth a full and complete sentence, I will be sure to try my best to answer.
komecake in reply to gmjhoweOct 23, 2009. 3:30 AM
 <3
tevers94 in reply to gmjhoweJun 27, 2009. 8:46 PM
lol
bored2death says: Oct 6, 2009. 9:34 PM
cool book...mind if i use the story sometime?
junkpunk says: Sep 17, 2009. 5:56 AM
This is really great, just wondered cos you don't seem to use any card for the spine. You say in step 6 cut 2 card pieces, whereas other instructables use 3 (front, back and spine). Is the book okay without a card spine?
smurfsahoy says: Sep 14, 2009. 9:37 PM
How about a scroll saw?
Jehosephat says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:07 AM
Let me take time to say that this is the best project...of all time!!! (dun-dun-dun!) ...Yes I know that was corny, but still I could not help it. I do want to know though is what are the "companion books". I am guessing they have something to do with the book appearing "three times in history" but I am not sure... Also, I might be considering playing off this project and make an "exorcist book". I would have a hard time getting the paper though, so I'm considering to just make a cover out of leather for the outside and cut a hole through most of the book and follow up with the "roots" idea and making a version of my own. Thanks for making this, Jehosephat
Jehosephat says: Aug 6, 2009. 9:54 AM
For the LOLZ, Do it for the LOLZ!!! Heh, sorry I just like pie. >.<
1300519 says: Jul 17, 2009. 10:00 PM
Your vast amount of creativity in story making would make you a great dungeon master.
Whales in reply to 1300519Jul 30, 2009. 4:31 PM
Yeah this guy could make an amazing dungeon-maker or game master.
Cthulu says: Jun 14, 2009. 1:29 PM
Cool.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to CthuluJun 14, 2009. 1:46 PM
Thank you!
Gh{O}sT says: Jun 1, 2009. 11:46 PM
Good job...., very good job.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to Gh{O}sTJun 6, 2009. 1:08 PM
Thanks.
SuperCoPilot says: Jun 6, 2009. 2:32 AM
well damn't are you happy? i am now compelled to build one you have the coolest stuff dude
gmjhowe (author) in reply to SuperCoPilotJun 6, 2009. 1:08 PM
Thanks!
mowdish says: Apr 18, 2009. 3:05 AM
Beautiful work, but I'm sure you knew that. Are you going to add anything to the pages? They seem kind of pointless at the moment. Pieces of thread growing out from the binding could look cool. And you could add to them over time so the book actually changes. In fact, you could even come up with a representational scheme so that important events (e.g. upcoming wedding) would get represented in the book and could be translated through the companion books.
gmjhowe (author) in reply to mowdishApr 22, 2009. 12:08 PM
Ne chance you could explain about that root idea some more? Also, voting is open for the epilog contest now.
mowdish in reply to gmjhoweMay 21, 2009. 8:10 AM
Was this reply meant for me? If so, could you explain to me what you want me to explain to you?
gmjhowe (author) in reply to mowdishMay 21, 2009. 9:17 AM
'Pieces of thread growing out from the binding could look cool.' That bit. :P
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