Question

Who was Gutenberg? How did he invent the printing press and how did his invention bring a revolution in the field of printing ideas?

Answer 1

Hint: Gutenberg was an expert metalworker. He was involved in the production of special mirrors that were allegedly designed to capture 'holy light' shining from religious artefacts for a brief time. Pilgrims on their way to holy destinations would usually buy these mirrors. However, this venture was unsuccessful, and Gutenberg switched his attention to other types of innovations.

Complete answer:
Gutenberg – Johannes Gutenberg was a goldsmith and inventor from Germany who is credited with inventing moveable type printing in Europe. By 1438, Johannes Gutenberg had begun experimenting with printing. Gutenberg received financial backing from Johann Fust in 1450, but due to impatience and other causes, Gutenberg lost his business to Fust many years later. The “Forty-Two-Line” Bible, finished no later than 1455, is Gutenberg's masterwork and the first book ever printed in Europe using movable type.

Invention of printing press -
- The printing press was not invented by him. He was the first to invent movable types.
- Gutenberg developed a movable type by combining metals such as lead, tin, and the lesser-known antimony with an adjustable casting mould. With the mould, the ‘type' in the blocks may be easily adjusted and copied. This discovery, together with Gutenberg's wooden printing press, which was adapted from those in use in Europe at the time, particularly in wine presses, enabled a revolution in printing and the manufacturing of books, allowing more people to read.

His invention resulted in a revolution in the printing industry -
- Books were created by scribes, mostly in monastic orders, prior to Gutenberg. A single book required a long time to create, making it extremely valuable and only available to the very affluent.
- Gutenberg lowered the cost of a book, making it more affordable to a wider range of individuals. At the same time, he destroyed the church's monopoly on knowledge and information. The revolution was in full swing.

Note: Although movable type and paper were invented in China, printing was first automated in Europe. A lawsuit in Strasbourg, France, in 1439 reveals the creation of a press for Johannes Gutenberg and his accomplices.