Gutenberg's Invention

Gutenberg’s Invention

By Allan Haley

MANY PEOPLE THINK OF JOHANN GUTENBERG (c. 1398–1468) as the “father of printing.” And, in a certain sense, he is. However, he is not the inventor of the printing press, or of printing ink, or even of moveable type. Gutenberg’s Bible was neither the first book printed using moveable type, nor the first book he printed using moveable type. And it certainly is not his most important contribution to graphic communication.

Revisionary Inventor of learning and knowledge from The Might of Knowledge Even though Gutenberg did not invent religious to secular – all within less than Leaders of the Catholic Church thought most of the devices for which he is com- 50 years. that mass-produced copies of its monly given credit, his achievements teachings could strengthen its power are monumental. They are rooted in In 1455, there were no printing presses and authority. Their idea was to his ability to scientifically synthesize in Europe. By 1500, presses were disseminate thousands of copies of various mechanical elements into an operating in 245 cities, from Stockholm identical religious texts, as a way to economical, practical product. to Palermo. Before 1455, there were no potentially take religious conformity and Gutenberg built on the work of others, printed texts in Europe. By 1500, over obedience to unprecedented heights. starting with their existing tools and 20 million books had been printed – devices, which he modified, refined and one book for every five people living in The Church realized too late, however, perfected to suit his purpose. Western Europe. No previous invention that the invention it had thought to be in human history had spread so far, Inspired Innovator so fast. Gutenberg did, however, invent the adjustable mold, which allowed the Most innovations that change a person casting metal type to adjust the paradigm do so by first succeeding in width, enabling a narrow or a wide the existing “norm.” So it was with character to be locked in preparation Gutenberg’s. His first, and intended, for casting. This meant that an artisan client was the Catholic Church. Prior could replicate a given character many to Gutenberg, religious scribes had thousands of times. It also established the primary responsibility for recording the principle, three centuries before and transcribing all knowledge and it was widely adopted by industry, of teachings of the Church. Transcribing interchangeable parts – the basis of the Bible and religious texts was a modern mass-produced products. tedious, time-consuming and error- prone process. Gutenberg’s idea was to The Power of Printing sell his Bibles in an “unfinished” form Gutenberg’s innovation would change (illumination would be added later by the map of Europe, weaken the power the scribes) to monasteries and religious of the Catholic Church, and shift centers centers throughout Europe. Johann Gutenberg. Engraved portrait, 1584. Gutenberg’s Invention (con’t)

Early Tweaker enabled us to communicate in a man- Although Gutenberg didn’t invent many ner that is exceptionally utilitarian, of the things for which he is generally supremely elegant, and available to given credit, there is no disputing that anyone capable of making a modest he gave us the ability to quickly and financial investment. consistently create fonts of type. Gutenberg took the tools of his time, Note about the Gutenberg image: and refined, combined and perfected Most representations of Gutenberg them into an efficient system for derive from the 1584 engraving shown producing graphic content. His work at the beginning of this module. In it, he is pictured as an elderly man in a fur cap, with forked beard, and vacant expression. The latter is perhaps due to the uselessness, for typographical Adjustable Mold. Early 20th century drawing. purposes, of the die he holds in his left hand. This depiction is a work of fancy, if only because Gutenberg, a means of obtaining unprecedented as a patrician and a member of the power and control – would actually archiepiscopal household, would have irreparably undermine its strength and been clean-shaven. n pave the way for the Reformation and the European Renaissance.

The Typefounder. Early type founder pouring molten lead into an adjustable mold. A woodcut by Jost Amman, Frankfurt, 1568.

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