The Guardian’s 1821 steampunk newspaper website

Ever wondered what a newspaper web site would have looked like if the internet was around when Charles Babbage was still tinkering with his difference engine?

The Guardian offers a facsimile of its 1821 front cover – when it was still the Manchester Guardian – but filled with modern news stories.

This may not work well on your screen. It breaks up on a laptop or small screen iPad. But on a 24-inch screen it looks wonderful and is far easier to read than some modern newspaper sites. Who would have thought a seven column layout, drop caps and a serif face would make for such a good online experience?