Johann Gutenberg

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (born. circa 1398 – died probably February 3, 1468 Mainz) was a German metal-worker and inventor who achieved fame for his contributions to the technology of printing during the 1440s, including a type metal alloy and oil-based inks, a mould for casting type accurately, and a new kind of printing press based on presses used in wine-making. Tradition credits him with inventing movable type in Europe, an improvement on the block printing already in use there. By combining these elements into a production system, he allowed for the rapid printing of written materials and an information explosion in Renaissance Europe.

Legacy

Although Gutenberg was financially unsuccessful in his lifetime, his invention spread quickly, and news and books began to travel across Europe far faster than before. It fed the growing Renaissance, and since it greatly facilitated scientific publishing, was a major factor in originating the scientific revolution. Literacy also increased as a result. Gutenberg's inventions are sometimes considered the turning point from the Mediaeval Era to the Early Modern Period.

Related Topics:
Renaissance - Scientific revolution - Mediaeval Era - Early Modern Period

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The term incunabulum refers to a western printed book produced between the first work of Gutenberg and the end of the year 1500.

Related Topics:
Incunabulum - Book

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There are many statues of Gutenberg in Germany, one of the more famous being a work by Thorvaldsen, in Mainz, which is also home to the Gutenberg Museum.

Related Topics:
Thorvaldsen - Gutenberg Museum

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The Gutenberg Galaxy and Project Gutenberg commemorate Gutenberg's name.

Related Topics:
Gutenberg Galaxy - Project Gutenberg

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