Reading, cities, United States. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook American Heritage Coll.
Printing is the major industry.
A 17th-century tavern is in Reading. Chemicals are among its various manufactures. Once an important industrial, commercial, and railroad city, Reading has become a major factory outlet center. Its many manufactures include textiles, clothing, electronic equipment, and iron and steel products. Industrial growth began in the late 18th cent.