Johannes Gutenberg

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Growing up as a kid Johannes Gutenberg was part of a wealthy family. He was born in 1398 (History Reference Center). He lived in Mainz, Germany (Britannica). When he was old enough to get a job, he got the job of being a blacksmith. Later on in his life he got very good at being a blacksmith, so he got the job of being a goldsmith and silversmith (World Book Online). Johannes' father was a merchant, so Johannes didn't get to see him much (History Reference Center). Johannes didn't really have anyone to look up to, so he was pretty much always alone.

The printing press (leafletprinting.com)

The big breakthrough that Johannes had was the invention of the moveable type printing press in 1450 (History Reference Center). Not all of the printing press was his idea though, because the Chinese had already invented block lettering. He took that idea and used in his printing press. (Britannia). Even though he gets credit for it, it wasn't all his idea. He introduced printing to Europe, which helped people learn how to read. Of all the books that were printed two hundred of them were bibles. Fifty of those bibles survive today. Gutenberg was taken to court twice. (World Book Online). He kept taking loans from people and they started to get mad because they didn't make a profit (History Reference Center). He finally got it done and paid the people back. Even though it took him four years to make the printing press, it is still one of the most used inventions today.

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This still affects us today by giving us books, magazines, newspapers, dictionaries and pretty much everything you can read. If it wasn't for Gutenberg people wouldn't be able to read today. Back then he made religion stronger by giving the church more bibles. He was the Steve Jobs of the 14th century. He helped people learn how to read and created one of the greatest technological inventions. This is why Johannes Gensfliesh Zur Laden Zum Gutenberg is one of the most important Renaissance men of all time.