The Gutenberg Press Block Printing Concept of printing
The Gutenberg Press
Block Printing: • Concept of printing one sheet at a time • Raised letters carved into block of wood • Could only use block one time • Required highly skilled craftsmen, carpenters • Costly only nobility could afford
Johannes Gutenberg: • 1400 -1468 • German craftsman (gold smith) and inventor • Family had some money –access to manuscripts and learning • Exiled from hometown because of revolt against local nobility • Strasburg, Germany – worked to find way mass produce books
Movable Type: • Concept involving individual blocks for each letter within a frame • Each letter made out of metal • Reusable • Durable • Greater efficiency at mass producing printed material • Lowers the cost of books so more can afford
Gutenberg’s goal realized: • Mechanically reprint religious manuscripts with same quality • Gutenberg Bible or 42 Line Bible Why Is This Important: • Ideas and knowledge spreads more quickly • Poor could now afford Bibles • Gutenberg Bible printed in German • Bible printed in local languages • People can read Bible for themselves
Introducing Martin Luther (not the King) Luther’s PERSPECTIVE: • Born into working class type family • Father self made, mine owner • Chose religious life over business • German monk • Devotion to the Catholic Church
Why Does this matter? • Church not cutting it but Bible does • Luther becomes disgruntled with STATUS QUO • Priest lavish lifestyle • Church corruption • Indulgences • Catholic officials selling forgiveness of sins
Luther the Mad Man: • He can read and interpret the Bible • Believes the Bible says salvation through own faith • Discovers Indulgences NOT in the Bible • 95 Theses nailed to church door
What does this have to do with Gutenberg? Why is this important? I am glad you asked! Gutenberg’s printing press allows 95 These to spread through ALL Europe in THREE Months! The spread of ideas leads to change or Reformation. (…to be continued)
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