Gutenberg's gift

Paper was invented in China nearly 2000 years ago, but it was not used in England and Europe for making books until it was introduced via the travels of Arabic cultures more than 500 years ago. In the 1400s German man Johannes Gutenberg, a blacksmith, goldsmith and craftsman of Mainz, developed a printing press with moveable type, so that different words could be printed in ink on sheets of paper. To begin with, each letter was carved in reverse on a block of wood. One of the first things he printed was The Bible (Biblia Sacra), in 1456, known as the 42-line Bible, on paper and vellum (animal skin) with 42 lines on each page. Copies were hugely expensive but nonetheless sought-after. However as wooden type soon wore out Gutenberg created a more durable cast-metal alloy type which also gave a clearer finish and faster printing.

Prior to this, books were reproduced by hand-copying and illustrating manuscripts in the form of scrolls, codices (a handwritten stacked-paper pre-curser to the book) and eventually bound books as we would now recognise them. This work was done in copyist workshops (scriptoriums) in monasteries whereby books were reproduced, corrected, decorated, bound and
preserved. Monasteries were also houses of conservation as they hid ancient texts during religious upheaval, and even quarantined certain sacred texts from copying. Later scholars of the university-cities of Europe usurped the monastic period of book curation and became the producers of print material. Of course Egyptian, Mayan, Asian and Middle Eastern societies were developing their own print cultures on papyrus, bamboo, clay and even wax tablets. Indeed, the Quran is a prime example of early copying and conservation of text.

In simple terms, Gutenberg's invention made the printed word much more accessible and more cheaply available to the broader community. Culturally speaking, it precipitated an era of mass communication within Europe which changed society in an unprecedented way. Information, including radical social and religious ideas, could now quickly transcend borders. Literacy began to rise and religious, political and academic discussion no longer rested with the traditional monastic or scholarly custodians, which inevitably created tension. Mass printed communication in part facilitated the Protestant Reformation, and created a form of proto-nationalism in Europe, sparked cultural self-awareness and strengthened the use of dialect languages in preference to the ubiquitous and exclusive Latin.

Gutenberg's love of books led to his continuing efforts to perfect the book-making process, a life's work which saw him embroiled in legal proceedings with his sponsors and finally financial downfall and exile due to clerical conflict.

Later his achievements were recognised by high offices and he received a title, an annual stipend, outfit of court clothing and allocations of food and wine.

Gutenberg's hand-operated press technology spread throughout the world, and was eventually replaced by steam-driven rotary presses, which themselves were superseded by electricity. Thus this western-style of printing became the most widely adopted method of mass printing, a legacy which most of us access on a daily basis.

The State Library has endeavoured to identify and or locate copyright holders of material digitised for this website. Where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced and or located, the Library has decided in good faith to proceed with digitisation and communication on-line.

Material is made available for research or study. You may order a high resolution copy.

For any other use refer to the State Library of South Australia's website information about orphan works. The State Library invites persons who believe they are the copyright owners to contact the Library to discuss usage of this item.