VIDEO Why are Some Pages “Intentionally Left Blank” and Why Do They Say This?

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Why are Some Pages “Intentionally Left Blank” and Why Do They Say This? Have you ever flipped through a book or document only to stumble across a page announcing that it is “intentionally left blank”? This seemingly confusing phrase, often perceived as a bureaucratic quirk, actually has roots embedded in the history of printing and serves specific, practical purposes. The concept of “intentionally blank” pages can be traced back to the beginning of automated printing, when misprints and errors were frequent. Originally, marking pages as intentionally blank was a way to assure readers that the absence of content was not a mistake. This is particularly relevant for documents where one might expect to see printed material based on the surrounding content.

Why Are Pages Left Blank?​

This raises the question of why any pages at all are left blank in the first place. Primarily, this practice is not just wasteful; it can also be a strategically beneficial choice. For example, in timed tests, educators often insert blank pages to prevent students from peeking at upcoming questions. To avoid confusion, they sometimes print a note stating “This page is intentionally left blank” or use directives like “Stop Here.” Another reason for blank pages is to prevent ink bleed, especially in official documents where writing on one side could transfer ink to another. This prompted the inclusion of instructions such as “Do not write anything on this page” to clarify their purpose.

The Structure of Books​

In the realm of books and similar bound works, blank pages arise from the manufacturing process. Books are often created by folding large sheets of paper into specific formats known as “signatures”. For instance, if a book’s content fills 299 pages, the layout might require a signature of 4, resulting in some pages remaining blank simply to maintain balance. Moreover, in some extreme cases—such as a signature comprising 32 pages—there could be 21 blank pages! Editors and layout artists typically strive to format books to minimize unnecessary blank pages, but occasionally it’s unavoidable. In such cases, blank pages might be utilized for advertisements, author biographies, or spaces for readers to take notes.

A Fun Fact to Consider​

Interestingly, the Office of the General Counsel in the U.S. General Accounting Office once took a humorous approach to this subject. They printed, “This page is intended to be blank. Please do not read it,” on one of their blank pages, flipping the script on the conventional phrase. If you found this exploration of blank pages intriguing, consider checking out more videos on the Today I Found Out channel, where Daven Hiskey dives into various curious topics every day! What are your experiences with such blank pages? Have you encountered situations in your documents or texts where their purpose puzzled you? Share your thoughts and let's discuss!