How Time Flies

RRD's history dates back to 1864.

To put it into perspective, here are a few historical events:

1864 was...


Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's
3rd year in office as President of the
United States.

Alexander Graham Bell Lincoln

12 years before Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. Years later, in 1886, RRD would begin printing Chicago telephone directories.

Henry Ford Model T

44 years before Henry Ford introduced the Model T. In 1927, RRD produced the literature that announced Ford's next line, the Model A.

Innovation & Excellence Since 1864

Founding Moment in Chicago

At 28, Richard Robert Donnelley purchased a half share interest in the printing operations of Church, Goodman & Cushing in Chicago.

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1864

Founding Moment in Chicago

At 28, Richard Robert Donnelley purchased a half share interest in the printing operations of Church, Goodman & Cushing in Chicago. Donnelley moved to Chicago with his wife, Naomi, and infant son, Reuben, to lead the operations at Church, Goodman & Donnelley.

1864

Fire and Rebirth

The Great Chicago Fire destroys RR Donnelley's new printing plant. Insurance cannot make good on the loss.

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1871

Fire and Rebirth

The Great Chicago Fire destroys RR Donnelley's new printing plant. Insurance cannot make good on the loss. Relying solely on his impeccable reputation, he secures a loan in New York to rebuild, even the railroad agrees to ship printing equipment to Chicago on credit—an unheard of gesture.

1871

Directory Debuts

Two years before the telephone is patented, RR Donnelley produces the Lakeside City Directory of Chicago, a vehicle for advertisers to reach businesses and consumers.

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1874

Directory Debuts

Two years before the telephone is patented, RR Donnelley produces the Lakeside City Directory of Chicago, a vehicle for advertisers to reach businesses and consumers. The concept that advertising will support the widespread distribution of data gives rise to the Yellow Pages industry and eventually online search.

1874

I Can Remember That Number

In 1886, RR Donnelley wins a contract to print Chicago telephone directories, beginning a relationship that will last for over a century.

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1886

I Can Remember That Number

In 1886, RR Donnelley wins a contract to print Chicago telephone directories, beginning a relationship that will last for over a century.

1886

The World Comes to Chicago

People from all over the world came to Chicago for the Columbian Exposition, A World's Fair. RR Donnelley printed tickets and various guides for fair attendees.

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1893

The World Comes to Chicago

People from all over the world came to Chicago for the Columbian Exposition, A World's Fair. RR Donnelley printed tickets and various guides for fair attendees. This partnership with the World's Fair solidified RRD's role as the official printer for subsequent Chicago World's Fairs from 1933 to 1994.

1893

A Store in the Mailbox

Capitalizing on Chicago's excellent transportation infrastructure, the city emerges as a mail-order center, catering to catalog shoppers nationwide.

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1895

A Store in the Mailbox

Capitalizing on Chicago's excellent transportation infrastructure, the city emerges as a mail-order center, catering to catalog shoppers nationwide. RR Donnelley plays a pivotal role by investing in its first patent binder and begins producing catalogs for Montgomery Ward, touted as the largest mail-order business in the U.S.

1895

Clearing the Air

T.E. Donnelley, CEO of RR Donnelley, assumes the role of Chairman of the Chicago Smoke Abatement Commission, spearheading innovative environmental initiatives.

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1907

Clearing the Air

T.E. Donnelley, CEO of RR Donnelley, assumes the role of Chairman of the Chicago Smoke Abatement Commission, spearheading innovative environmental initiatives. The Commission's recommendations set a precedent for other cities and underscore Donnelley's early dedication to environmental stewardship.

1907

Schooling the Apprentices

RR Donnelley pioneers the first apprentice school in the U.S., offering students both a top-notch high school education and comprehensive printing craft training.

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1908

Schooling the Apprentices

RR Donnelley pioneers the first apprentice school in the U.S., offering students both a top-notch high school education and comprehensive printing craft training. This initiative enhances RR Donnelley's reputation for employee development, innovative HR practices, and ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.

1908

Million Dollar Secret

It's called the Million Dollar Secret, as reporters feverishly speculate about the first new Ford automobile since the Model T...

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1927

Million Dollar Secret

It's called the Million Dollar Secret, as reporters feverishly speculate about the first new Ford automobile since the Model T. RR Donnelley employees keep the secret as they produce and send dealerships the literature that will accompany the introduction of Ford's new line, the Model A.

1927

Expanding Again to Better Serve Clients

RR Donnelley finished building its new flagship facility in Chicago, the Calumet plant, renowned as one of the nation's most remarkable industrial buildings and designated as a national historic landmark in 1983.

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1929

Expanding Again to Better Serve Clients

RR Donnelley finished building its new flagship facility in Chicago, the Calumet plant, renowned as one of the nation's most remarkable industrial buildings and designated as a national historic landmark in 1983. Notably, the plant includes a functional library, highlighting RR Donnelley's early emphasis on employee education and professional development.

1929

Long Before the Term "Information Firewall"

RR Donnelley handles catalog production for top U.S. direct marketers, Sears and Montgomery Ward, concurrently in the same facility, ensuring strict confidentiality between the rivals.

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1937

Long Before the Term "Information Firewall"

RR Donnelley handles catalog production for top U.S. direct marketers, Sears and Montgomery Ward, concurrently in the same facility, ensuring strict confidentiality between the rivals. Advertisements emphasize RR Donnelley's unwavering dedication to maintaining client confidentiality, assuring both companies that their work remains secure from the competition.

1937

Operational Innovations

At its Chicago manufacturing campus, RR Donnelley opens a state-of-the-art 130,000 square foot warehouse, equipped with modern innovations...

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1949

Operational Innovations

At its Chicago manufacturing campus, RR Donnelley opens a state-of-the-art 130,000 square foot warehouse, equipped with modern innovations like electrically operated Leva-docks and a Tele-talk two-way loudspeaker system for verbal communication among crews. The integration of Telautograph systems connects the warehouse, shipping room, and traffic department, showcasing RR Donnelley's dedication to adopting material handling technologies that enhance speed, improve quality, and reduce costs.

1949

RRD Goes Public

RR Donnelley completes its own initial public offering and becomes a publicly traded company.

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1956

RRD Goes Public

RR Donnelley completes its own initial public offering and becomes a publicly traded company. 1956 was also the year that RR Donnelley first achieved $100 million in net sales.

1956

As a Nation Mourns

Thousands of copies of LIFE magazines featuring Roger Staubach are already printed when the news breaks that John F. Kennedy has been assassinated.

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1963

As a Nation Mourns

Thousands of copies of LIFE magazine featuring Navy quarterback Roger Staubach are already printed when the news breaks that President John F. Kennedy has been assassinated. LIFE asks to produce new ones immediately to commemorate the president. As writers and designers work feverishly to provide new stories and photographs, RR Donnelley accelerates its production processes to achieve an impossible delivery time.

1963

Version Control

A magazine called Farm Journal made history with an issue that featured 8,896 different versions.

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1984

Version Control

A magazine called Farm Journal made history with an issue that featured 8,896 different versions. The publication was produced using an RR Donnelley innovation called Selectronic® binding, which enabled content to be customized to the magazine’s different audiences. Ads and editorial are specifically targeted to readers based upon the understanding of their interests, demographics, and other variables.

1984

Not Just Using Presses. Inventing Them.

RR Donnelley engineers and imaging scientists announce a breakthrough, proprietary digital printing technology.

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2008

Not Just Using Presses. Inventing Them.

RR Donnelley engineers and imaging scientists announce a breakthrough, proprietary digital printing technology. It is the industry's first 1200 dots per inch (DPI) four color inkjet web press and it is just the first in a continuing series of digital printing innovations that the company will call ProteusJetTM solutions. In a single year, just one of RR Donnelley's business units will digitally image 4.8 billion sheets of paper.

2008

One Stop Shop

Bringing another innovation to life, RR Donnelley enhances its suburban Chicago campus with a new facility...

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2011

One Stop Shop

Bringing another innovation to life, RR Donnelley enhances its suburban Chicago campus with a new facility offering a comprehensive suite of offset commercial printing, digital printing, packaging and label production, kitting, warehousing, and fulfillment services, strategically positioned for North American distribution support.

2011

A Focused Evolution

RR Donnelley separates into three publicly held companies. The resulting outcome was three distinct, focused organizations.

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2016

A Focused Evolution

RR Donnelley separates into three publicly held companies. The resulting outcome is three distinct, focused organizations: RRD, LSC Communications, and Donnelley Financial Solutions.

2016

Essential to the Solution

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RRD was deemed an essential business as the organization leveraged its supply chain solutions to bring millions of rapid COVID-19 tests to market.

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2020

Essential to the Solution

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RRD was deemed an essential business as the organization leveraged its supply chain solutions to bring millions of rapid COVID-19 tests to market. RRD’s ISO13485 accredited facilities possessed the ability to scale quickly to facilitate time-sensitive projects. RRD also produced critical communications and materials, including PPE, way-finding signage, QR codes, and more.

2020

A New Beginning

RRD is acquired by Chatham Asset Management and becomes a private company. Thomas J. Quinlan is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.

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2022

A New Beginning

RRD is acquired by Chatham Asset Management and becomes a private company. Thomas J. Quinlan is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.

2022

Building on Committments

RRD Expands Upon Past Environmental Performance with 10-Year Roadmap to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25%.

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2023

Building on Committments

RRD Expands Upon Past Environmental Performance with 10-Year Roadmap to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25%. The target builds upon RRD's past U.S. performance of GHG reductions of approximately 17% from 2018 to 2022.

2023

RRD in the Now

Today, RRD is a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions that elevate engagement across the complete customer journey.

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2024

RRD in the Now

Today, RRD is a leading global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions that elevate engagement across the complete customer journey. The company offers the industry’s most trusted portfolio of creative execution and world-wide business process consulting, with services designed to lower environmental impact.

2024

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