To gain attention, headlines had to be ever bigger, blacker and more terse.

ECONOMIST: Behind the headlines

Kindle Paperwhite's screen has 25% higher contrast - the blacks are blacker, and the whites are whiter.

ENGADGET: Amazon announces $119 Kindle Paperwhite with illuminated, capacitive touch display

Kindle Paperwhite's screen has 25% higher contrast than the previous generation Kindle- the blacks are blacker, and the whites are whiter.

ENGADGET: Amazon's new Kindles now available in Canada, Paperwhite starting at CAD $139

The technology has an unprecedented ability to absorb external light reflections through an increased wedge depth, which leads to "blacker" blacks, more-realistic pictures and higher color contrast.

ENGADGET: Samsung details pricing and availability for its 2012 Smart TV lineup

In Mort Sahl and Lenny Bruce, American comedy offered examples of a wilder, blacker vein than people in Britain were used to.

ECONOMIST: Political satire