Textbooks have been in use in schools for centuries in one form or another. Today, modern bound books made popular in the 19th century have replaced tablets, papyrus texts and stone etchings of ancient times. The textbook as we know it was created with Johann Gutenberg's printing press invention in the 1440s.

In the U.S., most colleges utilize a large number of textbooks for courses, chosen by the professor of each class. At public K-12 schools, the curriculum department and state and local committees decide what textbooks students will study. College students much typically purchase all their own books and often have the option to sell them back. K-12 students rarely have either of these options, and usually borrow textbooks for the year.

Textbook PublishersTextbook publishers target the largest American states, namely California and Texas, when they design their curriculum. This is largely due to money concerns because both of these states shell out a massive amount of money (Texas spends in excess of $600 million) yearly on textbooks. It is a competitive industry and although the students' needs are kept in mind when designing the books, the bottom line for the publisher is as well.

Many college students complain about the price of textbooks, and blame publishers for price gouging. Further, they complain that extensive edition changes require them to purchase new books all too often. Publishers argue that textbooks are expensive to produce and that they do all they can to keep costs down. However, the demand for thick paper, hardbound covers and full-color pictures keeps costs higher than they would be with simpler designs. For most students then, the answer is to buy used textbooks and to sell back for as a high a price as possible.