Printing revolutionized European society in the 15th century. Developed in Europe by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-1400s, the printing press forever changed the way information was shared and disseminated. Prior to this invention, books were laboriously and painstakingly written by hand. Without a printing press, the spread of knowledge and ideas was hindered and resources were limited.
Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press not only shifted the power of knowledge and ideas away from the aristocracy and the clergy, it enabled the Reformation, the Renaissance, and the Age of Enlightenment by revolutionizing the communication of information.
Who Was Johannes Gutenberg?
Johannes Gutenberg was an innovative German goldsmith, who became the first European to assemble movable type for a printing press. Born in Mainz around 1398, Gutenberg was an innovative thinker and a problem-solver. He began his career as an apprentice goldsmith, subsequently employing the skills he acquired during that period to work on his inventions.
It was during this time that Gutenberg found himself building an oil press, a polishing device and a variety of clockwork mechanisms. It is believed that he was using these devices to work towards his most ambitious invention yet, the movable type printing press.
How Gutenberg Invented The Printing Press
Gutenberg developed his invention around 1440, with exact details of how he accomplished the task largely unknown. What we do know is that his press used a type of movable type inspired by existing type-making techniques and the wineskins used in Mainz. The press operator moved the individual pieces of type when setting a page and put them back in a particular order for printing.
In addition to the type, Gutenberg also developed oil-based ink, which was much better for printing than the water-based ones used in Asia. His invention also required the use of engraved metal plates from which he could carve the letters that would be used for printing. It is believed Gutenberg took inspiration from coin engraving and clocks to carve his type.
The Printing Press Unleashed a Period of Revolutionary Change
The Gutenberg press was a revolutionary change for the 1450s, with the moveable type allowing pages to be printed more quickly and accurately than ever before. This new printing press ushered in a period of revolutionary change in Europe – allowing newfound knowledge, ideas, and information to be disseminated to wider audiences. It has been argued that this revolutionized understanding ushered in an era of progress, eventually leading to the Renaissance.
“This invention […] was deemed worthy to bring about a complete change in the history of the world.” – E.A. Poe.
The printing press enabled Europeans to break free from feudalism, reducing the power of ruling classes that had previously held a monopoly on knowledge and education. The press allowed books to be distributed more widely, allowing a greater diversity of voices and enabling revolutionary thinkers. Ultimately, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century opened up a world of new possibilities and helped shape the world we live in today.
Conclusion
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was communicated and dispersed throughout Europe. The press enabled books to be mass-produced and distributed to people of all classes, significantly reducing the power of previously ruling classes and opening up an era of progress. Today, we feel the impact of Gutenberg’s print revolution in the way we communicate and share information.
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