Here's a breakdown:
* Early Precursors: The concept of annual records and collections predates the modern yearbook. Universities in Europe had "annals" or "chronicles" documenting events and achievements dating back to the Middle Ages.
* 18th Century: American colleges started publishing "catalogues" that listed students, faculty, and events. These were more like academic directories.
* 19th Century: The "annual" evolved from a simple list to a more elaborate publication. The first true yearbook, with illustrations and student writings, is attributed to Harvard University in 1841 with their publication "The Harvard Annual."
* 20th Century: Yearbooks became more widely adopted in high schools and colleges. Photography and printing technologies advanced, making them visually rich and more accessible.
Therefore, it's more accurate to view the yearbook's creation as a collaborative effort, evolving from simple records to the elaborate publications we know today.