When and where was Johannes Gutenberg born?
Johannes Gutenberg was born in Mainz between 1393 and 1406. He was the youngest son of Friele Gensfleisch zur Laden, a wealthy patrician merchant who served as a master of accounts for the city.
Common questions about Johannes Gutenberg
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What invention did Johannes Gutenberg create and when was it completed?
Johannes Gutenberg created the movable type printing press and completed his 42-line Bible in 1455. The press used an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony to cast durable type and could produce up to 240 impressions per hour.
Why did Johannes Gutenberg lose control of his printing workshop?
Johannes Gutenberg lost control of his printing workshop due to a legal dispute with his financier Johann Fust in 1456. The court ruled in favor of Fust, giving him control over the Bible printing workshop and leaving Gutenberg bankrupt.
How did the sacking of Mainz in 1462 affect the spread of Johannes Gutenberg's invention?
The sacking of Mainz in 1462 by Archbishop Adolph von Nassau forced many printers into exile and spread Gutenberg's invention across Europe. This displacement shifted the capital of printing to Venice and laid the groundwork for the Renaissance and Reformation.
When did Johannes Gutenberg die and where was he buried?
Johannes Gutenberg died in 1468 and was buried likely as a tertiary in the Franciscan church at Mainz. The church and cemetery were later destroyed, and his grave is now lost.