Question

Write a short note to show what you know about: The Gutenberg Press

Answer 1

Hint: The printing press is regarded as a device that is used to allow mass production of printed material in a uniform manner. It was first developed in China. Later in the 15th century, the European printing press was invented.

Complete answer:
The printing press was first developed in China during the first millennium A.D. There was no evidence of a printing press in Europe till 150 years after the invention of Wang Chen. Gutenberg started his experiment with printing in France in the year 1440. He was a political exile from Mainz (Germany). In the year 1450, he returned to Mainz with a printing machine that could be used commercially. It came to be known as Gutenberg Press. Gutenberg’s design replaced wood with metal and printing blocks were replaced by individual letters. It was regarded as a European version of the printing press which would be moved due to which it was considered more essential. Gutenberg made sure that large quantities due to which the concept of replica casting was applied. He printed approx 180 copies which had 1300 pages of the Bible in the year 1452. For the Bible around 300 individual molded letter blocks were used. In the process of printing the bible, around 50,000 sheets of paper were used. His innovation led to the printing revolution. It is known for its role in the Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Enlightenment, and Scientific Revolution. The introduction of oil-based ink that was considered more durable than water-based inks is credited to Gutenberg.

Note: In the year 1436 Gutenberg started working towards the innovation of a new printing press that could allow accurate molding of blocks in a uniform template. Due to this high quality printed books created.