A man of diverse talents and skills, johannes gutenberg, was a noble publisher, goldsmith, and printer. This is the first modern biography of gutenberg to appear in english, and albert kapr revised and updated his text originally published in 1986, second edition. Johannes gutenberg, german craftsman and inventor who originated a method of printing from movable type. Born as johann gensfleisch john gooseflesh, he preferred to be. Johannes gutenberg prints the first book using moveable lead type. Every year, especially since 1563, the number of writings published in every field is greater than all those produced in the past thousand years. Johannes gutenberg and the printing press pivotal moments in history.
The first book ever printed using his invention was the fortytwoline bible around 1455. Johannes gutenberg, was born to a rich family in mainz, germany and early on in his life he mastered in goldsmithing, but then he realized that ha wanted to do something different. The name of johannes gutenberg will forever be associated with arguably one of the most important events of the modern age, that is the print revolution brought about in the mid fifteenth century. Hence everyone throughout europe devoted himself to the study of literature. His printing presses were later used to mass produce bibles helping to spread the most influential book of the era. Gutenbergs invention allowed the mass production of books for the first time and changed the world. Maybe this gave gutenberg the idea for metal letters to write the words on the pages of the book. He used this workshop as a business in which he developed printed works for customers as well as for the church. This is the first modern biography of gutenberg to appear in english, and albert kapr revised and updated his text originally published in 1986, second edition 1988 especially for this translation. As a stepping stone to the invention of printing, however, gutenberg may have developed a mechanicalstamping process in. Unique to his invention were a durable typemetal alloy, an oilbased ink that adhered well to metal type and transferred well to vellum or paper, and a press for applying firm even pressure to printing surfaces. February 3, 1468 was a german goldsmith credited with inventing movable type printing in europe ca. On september 30, 1452, johann guttenbergs bible was published becoming the first book to be published. Before gutenberg, every book outside of asia where some.
Gutenberg the geek kindle single kindle edition by jarvis, jeff. Johann gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1450s, and the first book to ever be printed was a latin language bible, printed in mainz, germany. An official birthday of june 24, 1400, was chosen at the time of the 500th anniversary gutenberg festival held in mainz in 1900, but the date is purely symbolic. However, the chronicle does not mention the name of coster, while it actually credits gutenberg as the first inventor of printing in the very same passage fol. Gutenbergs masterpiece, and the first book ever printed in europe from movable type, is the fortytwoline bible, completed no later than. Johann fust believed that johannes gutenberg had misused his financial help and had in fact, used his funds for other. So, in order to make books accessible for everyone, gutenberg invented a printing press using movable type.
Johannes gutenberg biography, inventions and facts. Gutenbergs printing press revolutionised the creation of books and helped make them affordable, ushering in a new era of affordable books and literature. The man who sued gutenberg then became the first european shop to print their name on the books that they made with the press. Johann gutenberg was born of welltodo parents in the archbishopric of mainz, germany. The philippine islands, 14931898 volume 40 of 55 16901691 explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations. Johannes gensfleisch zur laden zum gutenberg was a german blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to europe. Gutenberg s greatest accomplishment was the printing of a latin bible the gutenberg bible, as it came to be known. Bought by james lenox in 1847, it was the first copy to be acquired by a united states citizen. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on. Gutenberg was born between 94 and 1404 in hof gutenberg, mainz am rhein, germany. Johannes gutenberg biography, life, interesting facts. The earliest dated printed book, known as the diamond sutra, was produced in china in 868 ce, but it is believed that the practice dates back well before this date.
Before his time, books were a rarity, only affordable for the rich or influential. The man and his invention hardcover april 28, 1996. It used movable typemetal letters that could be arranged and rearranged to form words. Johannes gutenbergs information revolution foundation for. Gutenberg borrowed money from johannes fust to fund his project and in 1452, fust joined gutenberg as a partner to create books. Johannes gutenberg biography biography online johannes gutenberg c. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gutenberg the geek kindle single.
Index of the project gutenberg works of hugh walpole english as author jeremy english as author. The japanese and the chinese regularly used wood blocks carved in relief to produce buddhist charms as early as the fifth century ce. The first securely dated book by dutch printers is from 1471,and the coster connection is today regarded as a mere legend. Project gutenberg began in 1971 by michael hart as a community project to make plain text versions of books available freely to all. A biography profiling the life of johannes gutenberg, a man from the renaissance era who is best known for developing the printing press that took the place of the timeconsuming method of copying books by hand. The gutenberg bible, printed in 1455, was the first bible ever printed and the first book ever printed in europe. Books and other printed matter consequently became available to a wide general audience, greatly contributing to the spread of literacy and education in europe. In 1450, gutenberg began a second arrangement with german businessman johannes fust. In 1455, gutenberg produced what is considered to be the first book ever printed. The first securely dated book by dutch printers is from 1471, and the coster connection is today regarded as a mere legend. Explore seven fascinating facts about one of the rarest and most influential books in world history. Publishing is the dissemination of literature, music, or informationthe activity of making information available to the general public.
Additionally, johannes was the first person to print the bible. Well, johannes gutenberg must have been standing on granite because his impact on the world has been earthshattering. Gutenberg s bibles were surprisingly beautiful, as each leaf gutenberg printed was later colorfully handilluminated. Information about johannes gutenbergs education is sparse. Johannes gutenberg students britannica kids homework. Books before gutenberg s invention of movable type were created by binding pages made from the pressings of a series of woodcut templates. Johannes gutenberg was an inventor, engraver and printer, creator of one of the inventions that changed the future of humanity. The book was written in 1298 and known to be one of the first books printed through a model of the printing press in europe. He did not actually invent printing, nor did he print the first book. Gutenberg printed twohundred copies of this book which was known as a 36line bible for the number of lines that were on each page. There is very little record about the early life of johannes gutenberg but some historians speculate that he studied at the university. It is known that he learned goldsmithing, probably from his father. It was the first major book printed in europe using a mechanical movable type printer.
He invented printtechnology and was the first and most popular inventor of the informationtechnology. Devised a system of printing with movable metaltype, which replaced handcopying as the principle method of book production. In the 1400s johannes gutenberg of germany invented a new method of printing. While this may not sound like a big deal at first, the printing press is often considered as the most important invention in modern times. The 42 line bible the number of lines per page, also known as the gutenberg bible or the mainz bible for the place where it was produced. A silversmith named waldvogel taught artificial writing at avignon as early as 1444, using steel alphabets and an ironscrew press. Contribute to glynnbirdgutenberg development by creating an account on github. They set about printing calendars, pamphlets and other ephemera. Johannes gutenbergs information revolution foundation. Johannes gutenberg qfiles the online library of knowledge. His invention of mechanical movable type printing started the printing revolution and is widely regarded as the most important event of the modern period. The gutenberg bible, printed around 1455, was gutenberg s most famous printed item and is widely regarded as the worlds first modern printed book.
When johannes gutenberg invented printing in the 15th century, he did, indeed, change the world. Gutenbergs press allowed books to be printed in large quantities. Gutenberg was born in a city called mainz in germany towards the end of the fourteenth century. The first precisely datable printing is the gutenbergs 31line indulgence. It was very slow, and it took a long, long time to make one book. Like this page and we will share a link on your wall every time we release a new book. So he moved to strasbourg, and here he made his first experiments with. Goodrich this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Index of the project gutenberg works of samuel hopkins adams english as author little miss grouch a narrative based on the log of alexander forsyth smiths maiden transatlantic voyage english as author the mystery english as author our square and the people in it english as author the secret of lonesome cove english as author. The book is valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities as well as its historic significance. Johannes gutenberg was probably born in 98 in the german city mainz to friele gensfleisch zur laden and elyse wyrich. Johannes gutenberg johannes gutenberg printing of the bible. Biography of johannes gutenberg, german inventor thoughtco.
His method was so good that very few improvements were made to it for 400 years afterward. Project gutenberg pg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to encourage the creation and distribution of ebooks. Watch a short video about johannes gutenberg and the invention of the printing press. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel.
He was also not the first in the world to use movable type, blocks with individual raised letters or other characters that can be arranged and rearranged to print words. Johann gutenberg is commonly credited as the inventor of the printing press and the father of the modern printed book. Life magazine picked gutenberg s invention of mechanical movable type printing as the most important event of the second millennium. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant and johannes was the youngest son in the family. Gutenberg was the first person in history to actually print books from movable type. At the time, gutenberg used a series of loans to establish his own workshop with his printing press. The gutenberg bible was among the earliest major books printed using mass produced. It was founded in 1971 by american writer michael s. Kaprs book is the result of his lifes research on gutenberg and a summary of all that was known on the subject by the late 20th century. The first printed book in europe to bear the name of its printer is a magnificent psalter completed in mainz on august 14, 1457, which lists johann fust and peter schoffer. It was written in latin and surviving copies are known to be amongst the most valuable books in the world. Gutenberg wisely chose the bible as the first major book to be printed on his. His introduction of mechanical movable type printing to europe started the printing revolution and is regarded as a milestone of the second millennium, ushering in the. After the book was written, they would take a metal punch and spell out the letters for the title on the front of the leather cover.
Gutenberg was exiled after having a heated argument with two archbishops. Why did gutenberg chose the bible as the first book to be. If not for johannes gutenberg, the world might not have had access to mass printed books and for that particular reason it is not a surprise that the. Jun 15, 2018 johannes gutenberg biography johannes gutenberg was an inventor, engraver and printer, creator of one of the inventions that changed the future of humanity. The gutenberg bible is an edition of the vulgate, printed by johannes gutenberg, in mainz, germany, in the 1450s. The book considers the different aspects of gutenberg s life inventor, technologist and artist and his personality and achievements within a wide cultural and historical context.
Western worlds first and most famous books, the gutenberg bible. The major literary work produced by gutenbergs printing press, the gutenberg bible, has been acclaimed for its aesthetic and technical qualities. Johannes gutenberg history crunch history articles. Born as johann gensfleisch john gooseflesh, he preferred to be known as johann gutenberg john. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. When gutenberg entered it, printing was a slow and laborious business. The gutenberg bible also known as the 42line bible, the mazarin bible or the b42 was among the earliest major books printed using massproduced movable metal type in europe. For example, the gutenberg bible was the first book to be mass produced on the gutenberg printing press. Gutenbergs name does not appear on any of his work, but he is generally accredited with the worlds first book printed by movable type.
Project gutenberg s the first book of farming, by charles l. Gutenbergs name does not appear on any of his work but he is generally accredited with the worlds first book printed with movable type, the 42line the number. This book is an introduction to the life and work of johannes gutenberg, the man who invented the printing press. Johannes gutenberg was born between 94 and 1404 in the german city of mainz. Jun 06, 2012 johannes gutenberg 98 1468 johannes gensfleisch zur laden zum gutenberg introduced printing to europe. Gutenberg has been called the man of the millennium by timelife magazine and others. His first major effort of book printing with moveable type, the fortytwo line bible, will remain a remarkable product of a revolutionary invention, the gutenberg press. The travels of marco polo was a popular book in europe that most people had read. Gutenbergs printing technology spread rapidly throughout europe and later the world.
Gutenberg was the first european to use movable type printing, previously invented in china around 1050 ad although he was unaware of this prior invention. The printing press was not gutenbergs only invention. Gutenbergs bibles were surprisingly beautiful, as each leaf gutenberg printed was later colorfully handilluminated. Johannes gutenberg invented the moveable type printing press in 1450.
Unfortunately, one of gutenberg s investors, johann fust, won a lawsuit against him and as a result of that, gutenberg had to repay fust for the sum of his two loans, which he couldnt afford. The project gutenberg ebook of the first book of farming, by. Johannes gutenberg invented the method of printing books as we recognise them today. Gutenberg s masterpiece, and the first book ever printed in europe from movable type, is the fortytwoline bible, completed no later than 1455. The gap between browsing on a smartphone and gutenbergs movable type and first press might. Johannes gutenberg printing of the bible britannica. Hes famously recalled for cropping up with a movable type printing machine. Some readers might find the book slightly dry and scholarly, but it gives all the familiar and obscure, bizarre and quirky tales about the inventor of printing, and it patiently distinguishes which parts of the legend are speculative and apocryphal from. What was the first book published by johannes gutenberg. Johann gutenberg and invention of the printing press. This book talked about the treasures a merchant would long for such as money, gold and spices. Johann gutenberg holds the distinction of being the inventor of the movabletype printing press. Else, friele mother and father and their brothers, lived in a house called zum gutenberg.
Gutenbergs masterpiece, and the first book ever printed in europe from movable type, is the fortytwoline bible, completed no later than 1455. The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in europe, and upon woodblock printing, and revolutionized european book making. In a legal paper, written after completion of the bible, johannes gutenberg. Gutenberg used borrowed funds for the printing of his bible project. The book considers the different aspects of gutenbergs life inventor, technologist.
Feb 23, 2015 7 things you may not know about the gutenberg bible. Johannes gutenberg encyclopedia article citizendium. The psalter is decorated with hundreds of twocolour initial letters and delicate scroll borders that were printed in a most ingenious technique based on multiple inking on. Johannes gutenberg biography learn about his influential invention of the. Fullcolor photographs table of contents glossary index primary r. After the birth of printing books became widespread. Tention a story of boylife during the peninsular war. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. As a stepping stone to the invention of printing, however, gutenberg may have developed a mechanicalstamping process in the late 1430s. This led to a revolution in the spread of information that opened up the world to the quick and efficient dissemination of knowledge and ideas. Gutenberg was sued by his lender and ended up virtually bankrupt. Gutenbergs greatest accomplishment was the printing of a latin bible the gutenberg bible, as it came to be known. The gutenberg bible is acclaimed for its high quality of design and quality.
Johannes gutenberg introduced the concept of movable type and the printing press to europe. The most influential book published by gutenberg was the gutenberg bible in 1455. Johannes gutenberg was a famous german who invented the movable type printing machine thus making mass printing a reality. What were the names of johannes gutenbergs books answers. Johannes gutenberg kids britannica kids homework help. Johannes gutenberg was the inventor of book printing. Johannes gutenberg students britannica kids homework help. Johannes gutenberg biography childhood, life achievements. Gutenberg focused on and solved many complex problems of printing. While gutenberg may have published small runs of other books, it is widely stated that his first major run of book publishing began in 1544 or 1545. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. It marked the start of the gutenberg revolution and the age of printed books in the west.