Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Press
Image ‘Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg made after his death.’ from wikipedia.org
Johannes Gutenberg was an entrepreneur and printer known for developing the first mechanical moveable type printing press (and for having a pretty impressive beard). The invention was a moveable wooden press that used moveable metal type and is known to be, ‘sick tech,’ for its time. Gutenberg began his printing press enterprise in 1439 after moving to Strasburg, Germany. His invention revolutionised how books could be reproduced and distributed. The spread of Gutenberg's press spread quickly following the trade links and saw the introduction of the printing press.
Up until this point in Europe, the only means of producing books was scriptoria by monastic scribes. Due to the labour involved in their production, books were seen as the latest technology and luxury items only available to the privileged. This method was time-intensive or, ‘hella slow,’ as Mr Simionata (my lecturer) so eloquently puts it. Other technologies existed but none quite as advanced. Some early examples include block printing in 888 (the diamond sutra) and moveable clay type from china in 1041. It is not known if these technologies influenced Gutenberg’s invention.
Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gutenberg_Bible,_Lenox_Copy,_New_York_Public_Library,_2009._Pic_01.jpg
Gutenberg Bible was among the earliest major books printed using mass-produced movable metal type in Europe. It looks amazing. What a magnificent piece of design history.
Personal reflection Gutenberg’s invention represents a significant moment in history for all. It helped create books more accessible, contributing to the learning and development of people. Printing allows us to communicate on a large scale and in different ways academically and creatively. What an incredible achievement. Thanks JG! 😄
Interesting points from this lecture
Luca Piccioli, divina proportione, 1509
Letterforms are connected to the human form
Francesco Torniello, 1517, uses a compass to write the letter, ‘A’
Albercht Durer, 1525
Geoffrey Tory, 1529
Romain du Roe 1962, roman of the king, distinctive use of grid to determine specific corrdinates for letter forms
Louis Simonneau, engraver, 1716
1814, cylinder printing press for “The Time” steam powered printing press industrialised printing
