subway test
A test designed to simulate the distortion
imparted to a paperbound book by a reader holding
it in one hand with covers touching. The volume is
bent through 360° to bring its covers back
to back. If a leaf becomes detached, the volume
fails the test. In flattening a book in
preparation for use in most copying machines, a
book also undergoes a partial distortion, so that
the subway test, with its resultant stresses on
the binding, is valid, at least to a limited
extent, in determining the durability of the
binding. The test, nevertheless, is subjective and
care must be taken that it is conducted by the
same trained individual every time in order to
avoid operators' variables as much as possible.
The name of the test derives from the habit some
(standing) public transit riders have of holding
the overhead strap or bar with one hand while
holding a book (usually a paperback) in the other.
See also: PAGE FLEX
TEST .
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