Precursors
An idea similar to that of an e-reader is described in a 1930 manifesto written by Bob Brown titled "The Readies", which describes "a simple reading machine which I can carry or move around, attach to any old electric light plug and read hundred-thousand-word novels in 10 minutes". His hypothetical machine would use a microfilm-style ribbon of miniaturised text which could be scrolled past a magnifying glass, and would allow the reader to adjust the type size. He envisioned that eventually words could be "recorded directly on the palpitating ether".
Read more about this topic: E-book Reader