[tonyedgecombe]

PDF was based on PostScript, a system that was created for digital printers. The big selling point of PostScript was that your output would look the same whether you were printing on an Apple LaserWriter or a Linotype.

[Angostura]

Indeed. Postscript is great for printers. The fact that the PDF was created in addition was because a comparable system was needed for human eyeballs.