SCOM 2050 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Johannes Gutenberg, Gutenberg Bible, Woodblock Printing
30 Jan 2019
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Document Summary
Humans have used written symbols for 5 thousand or more years: but only a fraction could read and write. Early books: copied by hand (scribes) -> expensive and rare. Stamping: technology existed in the middle east 5000+ years ago, block printing. It became block printing in china, circa 200 ce (ad: using wood blocks as reusable stamps to print symbols on paper. Wood block printing presses were developed in china and korea. Koreans started using metal blocks for printing in the late 1300s: making their type much more durable. Johannes gutenberg: a goldsmith/metallurgist in 1400s germany. Gutenberg bible: completed in 1455 (jg"s magnum opus, he made 180 copies, catalyst of protestant reformation. Gutenberg did not invent the printing press: or even (metal) moveable type. He created an efficient system for printing: mass-producing moveable type, new metal alloy type -> standard for 500+ years, oil-based inks, a wooden screw-type press that was easy to build.
