Introduction
Would the world as we know it be the same without Johannes Gutenberg? The Printing Press was one of the most revolutionary inventions, that sprang the renaissance to life, by giving it the power to share ideas with the world.
Childhood
It may seem a gift to be a patrician's child, but it can have it's down sides. Johannes Gutenberg was born into a patrician family in Mainz Germany. Patrician means a wealthy family that is normally involved with the government. Nobody knows the year of Johannes's birth, although it was thought to be around 1400. His father worked at a coin mint, was a member of the city council, and was a merchant. His mother was a shop keeper. He had a brother named Friele and a sister named Else. In 1411 his family moved to his mother's estate in Eltsville, because the guilds did not feel like they had equal rights. In 1414 his family returned back to Mainz, when it was in a more harmonious state. His dad returned to his job at the mint, but did not return to his job at the city council. Gutenberg's childhood was greatly impacted by the guilds revolt. Overall Johannes had a fairly normal childhood.
Education
Education was a key part of Gutenberg's life. Little is known about Gutenberg's early education. When he moved to Etlville he went to school at Saint Peter and Paul church. Saint Peter and Paul church was a very prominent school where Johannes learned many things. When he moved back to Mainz he studied with his dad at the mint, which ignited his pathway to making the press. At the mint he learned the art of metal works, which later proved a very skill useful making the press. Books were very rare at schools, and one book cost about the same as a vineyard or a farm. Books were so rare because they were hand written. Johannes went to college at Erfurt University. At Erfurt he studied philosophy, logic, grammar, physics, psychology, Latin, classic literature, and the principles of church. At school he was taught from the Donatus a grammar book which Johannes would later print on his press. After years of hard work he graduated college. Overall education taught him many important skills that would help him in making the press.
Making the Printing Press
Making the press was a life changing event in Gutenberg's life. Gutenberg moved to Strasberg, a small town which he thought was a perfect place to start making the printing press. Gutenberg's parents died and he inherited some of his family's money. Even prior to making the printing press he knew it would cost a fortune. He worked in a forage which is were he crafted his type and made the printing press. He kept his life and his work a secret. He hired Hans Riffe, Andreas Heilmann, and Andreas Dritzehn. Johannes and his team worked to raise money and procure funds. They raised some funds but still needed more to successfully make the printing press. He started getting loans from the local bank. In 1444 he moved and nobody knew where he was for four years. In 1448 when his printing press was almost complete he moved back to Mainz. By this time his sister Else had died. He moved into Else's house and set up the printing press. He hired Johann Fust who gave Gutenberg a five year loan that could help him finish the printing press. The priests needed a standard copy of the bible and Johannes knew that with his printing press he could make one. When the monks would transcribe the bible it could have mistakes, and also the monks could change the bible. The printing press could do it without any mistakes. Johannes grew up near a vineyard and it was thought that the printing press was made just like a wine press. The wine press had a spindle top that would press the grapes down. The printing press probably had a spindle as well. The spindle on the printing press pressed the paper to the ink. The church supported Gutenberg through the entire proses of making the printing press. After lots of hard work Johannes finished making the printing press.
The Gutenberg Bible
Choosing to print the bible was very important because it showed the world what the printing press could do. During the time of the early renaissance life was very religious. If Johannes had chosen to print a more unknown book than the bible then the magnitude of the printing press would not be known. Gutenberg choosing to print the bible was a very resourceful and strategic way to do it. One bishop even wanted to buy the bible prior to completion. Printing the holy type of the bible was the perfect way to show the power of the printing press.
Challenges
It seems as if every time something good happened to Johannes there was always a challenge or catastrophe to overcome. When Gutenberg started fund raising for the printing press he made mirrors for a viewing of some religious relics. The mirrors were a failure because the year of the viewing the black death hit. Hans Riffe quit working with Johannes on the printing press. During the time of the black death, Andreas Dritzehn died. After Andreas died his brothers wanted to make the printing press public. Gutenberg won a law suit against the Drietzehn brothers and was able to keep the printing press a secret. Johannes's biggest challenge was with his partner Fust. Once Johannes's five year loan with Fust was up Fust wanted his money back. Fust knew that because Gutenberg had just started printing he would be bankrupt. Johannes couldn't pay Fust so he had to give him the printing press and all of the equipment. It took about a lifetime to make the printing press and Fust got all of the immediate credit for it. Gutenberg's challenges shaped him into the man he was.
Legacy
Johannes has a rich legacy because he made one of the greatest inventions of all time. Once the printing press was out in the world the amount of books in fifty years went from very few to twenty million. The printing press helped the renaissance begin. For five hundred years Johannes's methods of printing were used. The invention of the printing press and the gigantic growth of books helped the renaissance begin. Without Gutenberg it would have been extremely challenging to spread ideas throughout the world.With the printing press he helped start modern education. Johannes was given the award 'Man of the Millennium' because without the printing press modern society would be a completely different place.
Conclusion
Imagine education today without books. Johannes had great creativity which lead him very far in life. Life after Johannes Gutenberg and his extraordinary printing press would never be the same. The Renaissance began to flourish and education pervaded throughout the world.