Cornell University Press began its life in 1869 inside the College of the Mechanic Arts. This college taught mechanical engineering during the nineteenth century and used steam-powered printing presses to produce textbooks, pamphlets, and a weekly student journal.
Operations ceased completely from 1884 until 1930 when the press went inactive for over four decades. No books appeared on shelves during those missing years despite ongoing discussions about future possibilities.
The year 1955 marked a pivotal moment when Cornell University Press became the first university press to publish paperback books. During the 1950s the organization released several paperback series including Great Seal Books and Cornell Paperbacks.
Current operations produce approximately 150 nonfiction titles annually across numerous disciplines. The press now ranks among the largest university presses in the United States by volume of output.
In 2010 the Mellon Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to explore new business models for low-demand humanities subjects. Don Michael Randel served as President of the foundation and previously held the position of Cornell Provost.