Constellation Similarity Assertions

Gutenberg, Johann, 1397?-1468

Johannes Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany sometime between 1394 and 1404. He is best known for the invention of the moveable type printing press which ushered in the modern period of human history. Prior to his invention, Gutenberg lived in Strasbourg and appears to have been a goldsmith member enrolled in the Strasbourg militia. By 1448, he was back in Mainz and took out a loan from his brother-in-law Arnold Gelthus; by 1450 the press was in operation. Gutenberg then received a loan from wealthy moneylender Johann Fust and Peter Schöffer.

In 1455, Gutenberg completed his 42-line Bible, known as the Gutenberg Bible. About 180 copies were printed, most on paper and some on vellum. Gutenberg and Fust had a dispute regarding finances; Furst sued. The court decided in favor of Fust, giving him control over the Bible printing workshop and half of all printed Bibles. Thus Gutenberg was effectively bankrupt, but he had a small printing shop in Bamberg around 1459. Gutenberg died on February 3, 1468 in Mainz. Although Gutenberg was financially unsuccessful in his lifetime, the printing technologies spread quickly, and news and books began to travel across Europe much faster than before.

View Constellation