The invention of Printing Press by Guttenberg

Johannes Gensfleisch zum Gutenberg is generally credited with the simultaneous invention of movable metal typefaces as well as the concept of mass production through the use of a printing press. The invention of printing using a form of durable and movable type would eventually serve the needs of the masses. It was to be hailed as one of the most important and influential catalysts affecting the course of human interaction and history.

Sparse local history and records have been handed down that make much of the private history and life of Gutenberg unknown and hypothetical. But records do reveal that Gutenberg was born into a Europe prime for a cultural revolution. Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1397, when Europe had recently come out of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was just beginning (Eisenstein, Pp.28).

He was baptized at the church of Saint Christoph and lived in a large house that his father Friele had inherited from the family of Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg. Historical records support he was born into a patrician family. His father was one of four accountants in the city of Mainz. His mother, Else Wirich, was the second wife of Friele and the daughter of a wealthy Mainz merchant. 1414 records indicate Johannes was probably the youngest child, as a Friele and Else are mentioned as an older brother and sister. Into this patrician atmosphere, the Gutenberg children would have had some schooling or private instruction and would have enjoyed the pride of a self-confident and well-respected family.

There is nothing to indicate that Gutenberg as a young man had any leanings toward the church, political life, or scholarly study, but later records indicate he did have a talent for technology—especially a familiarity and skill with metal working and manufacture.

Records indicate his relatives belonged to a guild or fellowship of coiners that supplied metal for the minting of coins for the church. But because he and his brother could not pass the necessary ancestral test, he never assumed this career. After his father's death in 1417, he later left for the city of Strasberg, Germany, and took up residence. Records indicate he lived on an income from annuities, paid taxes to the city of Strasberg, but never became one of its citizens. City tax lists enter him as either semipatrician, semi-craftsman, or as one who serves under no other individual. The influence from his contact with metal working translated into his becoming an independent craftsman. He ran a respected workshop, from which he was able to augment his living expenses by teaching a variety of handicrafts (Geck, Pp. 24).

Court records also indicate he was quite active in pursuing court matters regarding errant family annuities from the city of Mainz as well as a vexing case involving a breach of promise to marry a patrician girl. However, no clear records exist indicating he was ever married.

In 1439, court records provide information about his involvement in a business venture to supply cast ...