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2024-04-22 15:11:01

Johannes Gutenberg

German inventor of movable-type printing press
German inventor of movable-type printing press
Johannes Gutenberg introduced letterpress printing to Europe, revolutionizing the spread of literature. His innovations include mass-producing movable type, oil-based ink, and a wooden printing press. His Gutenberg Bible is renowned for its quality.
1395-06
Birth of Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, was born in 1395 during the Renaissance period.
1398
Johannes Gutenberg's Birth
Johannes Gutenberg was born around the year 1398 in Mainz, Germany.
1400
Johannes Gutenberg is born in Mainz, Germany
Johannes Gutenberg, the German inventor and printer, is born in Mainz, Germany around the year 1400.
1411-02
Conflict in Mainz
In February 1411, a violent conflict arose in Mainz among the patrician class, including the Gutenbergs, and the guild craftsmen due to an election dispute. At least 117 patricians fled the conflict in August, but later returned with the mediation of the archbishop.
1413-01
Gutenberg Family Leaves Mainz
In January 1413, due to the unstable situation and hunger riots in Mainz, the Gutenberg family was forced to leave for Eltville.
1418
Life of Johannes Gutenberg
In 1418, Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, was alive and active. This period was part of his life before he revolutionized the world of printing with his groundbreaking invention.
1428
Gutenberg moves to Strasbourg
In 1428, Johannes Gutenberg relocates to Strasbourg, where he gains various skills related to metallurgy and printing. These experiences would be crucial for his later work on the printing press.
1430
Gutenberg starts work on the printing press
By the early 1430s, Johannes Gutenberg returns to Mainz and begins his groundbreaking work on the development of the printing press, experimenting with movable type.
1434
Gutenberg Living in Strasbourg
In March 1434, a letter by Gutenberg indicates that he was living in Strasbourg, where he had relatives on his mother's side. He was also a goldsmith member enrolled in the Strasbourg militia.
1436-06
Start of Printing Press Development by Gutenberg
In 1436, Johannes Gutenberg initiated his work on the printing press, a pivotal invention in the history of printing.
1439
Gutenberg's Proposal for Mirrors
In 1439, court documents revealed that Gutenberg proposed to make mirrors for pilgrims in Aachen. However, a legal dispute arose over the finances when one of the investors passed away.
1440
Invention of Johannes Gutenberg's Moveable Type Press
Johannes Gutenberg's creation of the moveable type press in 1440 marked the beginning of the Printing Revolution in the western world. This invention revolutionized the way information and learning were disseminated by allowing for the quick replication and distribution of ideas to large audiences.
1444-03-12
Gutenberg's Secret Printing Activities
After March 12, 1444, Johannes Gutenberg's activities related to his printing invention were undocumented for a period. Witnesses testified about his work on a new invention, including the building of a wooden press and purchasing printing materials.
1446-01-01
The Start of the Gutenberg Revolution
After perfecting metal moveable type in 1446, Johannes Gutenberg initiated the Gutenberg Revolution by enabling wider access to education through his innovative printing techniques.
1448-01-01
Gutenberg Prints the Calendar for 1448
In 1448, Johannes Gutenberg printed the Calendar for the Year 1448, which revolutionized access to common documents like the calendar for average people.
1448-10-17
Gutenberg Borrowing from Arnold Gelthus
On October 17th, 1448, Johannes Gutenberg borrowed 150 guilders from Arnold Gelthus in Mainz, Germany. Gelthus was one of his investors.
1450-01-01
Gutenberg Prints the Gutenberg Bible
In the 1450s, Johannes Gutenberg printed the Gutenberg Bible, considered the first book printed with movable type in Europe, revolutionizing the printing industry and access to books.
1452-06-01
Printing of Gutenberg Bible
In 1452, Johannes Gutenberg printed the first Bible using his innovative printing press, marking a significant milestone in the history of book production.
1454-06-01
Printing of Indulgences
In 1454, Johannes Gutenberg engaged in the printing of indulgences, showcasing the versatility and impact of his printing press in various forms of publication.
1455-06-01
Gutenberg prints
On June 1, 1455, Gutenberg continued his printing activities.
1455-11-06
Settlement of Lawsuit between Johann Fust and Johannes Gutenberg
Johann Fust won a lawsuit against Johannes Gutenberg, as documented in the Helmaspergersches Notariatsinstrument dated November 6, 1455. Gutenberg was ordered to pay Fust the total sum of the two loans and compound interest, possibly amounting to 2,020 guilders.
1456
Gutenberg's Printing with Movable Type
In 1456, Johannes Gutenberg introduced printing with movable type in Germany, revolutionizing the way books and information were produced and disseminated.
1457
Printing of the Mainz Psalter
In 1457, Johannes Gutenberg printed the Mainz Psalter, another significant work following the Gutenberg Bible. This demonstrated his ability to apply printing technology to various texts, showcasing the potential of the printing press.
1460-06-01
Gutenberg goes bankrupt, Johann Faust takes over
In 1460, Gutenberg faced bankruptcy and Johann Faust took over his printing business.
1462
Mainz Diocesan Feud
In 1462, Mainz was sacked during the Mainz Diocesan Feud, impacting Gutenberg's life and work in the region.
1465-01-18
Recognition by Archbishop von Nassau
On 18 January 1465, Gutenberg's achievements were acknowledged by Archbishop von Nassau, who granted him the title Hofmann and various privileges.
1466
Johannes Fust's Death and Succession by Peter Schoeffer
After Johannes Fust's death in 1466, Peter Schoeffer took over the workshop and printing enterprise, marrying Fust's daughter and continuing the printing business under their joint name.
1468-02-03
Death of Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg passed away on February 3, 1468.
1469
Johannes Gutenberg's death
In 1469, Johannes Gutenberg passed away in Mainz, Germany, at the age of around 68. His contributions to the printing industry and the invention of the printing press had a profound impact on the dissemination of knowledge and information.
1499-01
Spread of Literacy in Europe
By 1499, around 15 million books had been press printed in Europe, leading to the spread of literacy. This was all made possible by Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press.
1504
Mention as the Inventor of Typography
In 1504, Gutenberg was mentioned as the inventor of typography in a book by Professor Ivo Wittig, solidifying his legacy in the history of printing.
1540
Wittenberg Celebrates Gutenberg Press Anniversary
In 1540, Wittenberg held its first celebration of the anniversary of the Gutenberg press.
1568
Batavia by Hadrianus Junius
A book written in 1568 by Hadrianus Junius from Holland suggests that the idea of movable type came to Gutenberg from Laurens Janszoon Coster via Fust. Coster, an inventor and goldsmith, experimented with moulds and castable metal type, but there is no concrete evidence that he actually printed anything with this technology.
1837-01-01
Gutenberg's Statue
A statue of Johannes Gutenberg was erected in honor of his contribution to the world through the invention of the printing press.
1900
Foundation of the Gutenberg Museum
In 1900, the Gutenberg Museum was founded in Mainz to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg's birth. The museum commemorates Gutenberg's contributions to printing and his impact on the spread of literature.
1952
United States Postal Service Stamp Commemorating Johannes Gutenberg
In 1952, the United States Postal Service issued a five hundredth anniversary stamp commemorating Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press. This stamp recognized Gutenberg's contribution to the history of printing.
1997-01-01
Johannes Gutenberg Recognized by Time-Life Magazine
In 1997, Time-Life Magazine acknowledged Johannes Gutenberg's invention, the printing press, as the most significant invention of the second millennium, highlighting its impact on literacy and education.
1999-10-10
Gutenberg Recognized by A & E Network
In 1999, the A & E Network ranked Johannes Gutenberg as the top figure in their 'People of the Millennium' countdown, recognizing his pivotal role in the history of printing and dissemination of knowledge.
2001
Discovery of Gutenberg's Printing Technique
In 2001, physicist Blaise Agüera y Arcas and Princeton librarian Paul Needham used digital scans of a Papal bull to analyze Gutenberg's printing technique. They found irregularities in Gutenberg's type, suggesting a different method involving impressing shapes onto a soft material matrix.
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Johannes Gutenberg

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Johannes Gutenberg

German inventor of movable-type printing press
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