Engraving of a press similar to Gutenberg s
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Engraving of a press similar to Gutenberg s
Engraving of the kind of press invented by Johann Gutenberg, on which the Gutenberg Bible, the first book ever printed, appeared in 1454. The type is laid on a flat bed, inked, overlaid with paper, then slid under the press for printing. Gutenberg, inventor of the first printing press, was born in Mainz, Germany in 1398 and died in 1468. Before Gutenberg, books were laboriously produced by hand. Their availability was confined to universities, monasteries and the very rich. Gutenberg ran into debt whilst printing the bible and was sued. He lost the case and his tools, the press & bibles were seized. Having revolutionized the world and the word he died in poverty
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Media ID 6467689
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History Of Technology Press Printing Printing Press 15th C
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases an engraving of a press reminiscent of the one invented by Johann Gutenberg, which revolutionized the world and transformed the history of printing. Dating back to the 15th century, this remarkable invention paved the way for mass production of books and marked a significant turning point in human civilization. The image depicts a flat bed where individual metal type is meticulously arranged. Once set, ink is carefully applied to these types before being covered with paper. The entire composition is then slid under the imposing press for printing, capturing each letter's intricate details onto the page. Johann Gutenberg, born in Mainz, Germany in 1398, dedicated his life to perfecting this groundbreaking technology. Prior to his invention, books were painstakingly crafted by hand and limited only to universities, monasteries, and those who possessed great wealth. However, despite his monumental achievement with printing the first-ever book -the renowned Gutenberg Bible- adversity struck him hard. Faced with mounting debts during his ambitious project's execution, Gutenberg was sued and tragically lost both his tools and printed bibles as they were seized. This brilliant inventor ultimately succumbed to poverty but left behind an indelible legacy that forever changed how knowledge was disseminated across societies. Through this mesmerizing photograph from Science Photo Library's collection on historical technology advancements lies a testament to Johannes Gutenberg's profound impact on humanity—an enduring symbol of innovation that continues shaping our world today.
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