The Cyril-scott Company, An Rr Donnelley Company history

In a move that proved fortuitous, Donnelley began printing telephone books in 1886, a market that grew astronomically with the importance of the telephone.

In 1890, under the aggressive leadership of Richard's son Thomas E. Donnelley, the firm was incorporated as R.R. Donnelley & Sons.

By 1897 the company was so successful it expanded into larger quarters in another building.

Shakopee Wagon bridge circa 1910

Shakopee Depot, circa 1915

In 1921 Donnelley opened a printing plant in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

In 1928 Donnelley began printing one of the first of a new wave of national, mass marketed magazines, entitled Time.

In 1934 magazine circulations began to increase again.

1936: Company begins printing Life magazine.

Despite a depressed economy, sales reached $149.8 million in 1961, with Time Inc. accounting for 29 percent.

The firm recovered by 1968 as magazine sales, which accounted for 41 percent of sales, broke out of a slump.

Despite its losses, however, the firm made $24 million in 1971 on sales of $340 million.

In 1974 the firm began shifting away from high quality four-color extended runs, which had accounted for most of its work until then.

Deputy Mike Busch investigating a case in 1979

Sales grew rapidly, reaching $2.2 billion in 1986.

1987: Metromail Corp. is acquired.

With the United States economy in recession in 1991, the firm's net income declined about nine percent to $205 million.

By the end of 1995 sales reached $6.5 billion, a 33 percent climb due in part to the company's global expansion.

1999: Company announces alliance with Microsoft for electronic bookstore.