Printing press

Laurentius de Voltolina 001

Holzspindelkelter von 1702

metal movable type

Gutenberg Bible, Lenox Copy, New York Public Library, 2009. Pic 01

Printing press

Printer in 1568-ce

Printing press is a mechanical device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium (such as paper or cloth), thereby transferring the ink. It marked a dramatic improvement on earlier printing methods in which the cloth, paper or other medium was brushed or rubbed repeatedly to achieve the transfer of ink, and accelerated the process. The printing press was invented in the Holy Roman Empire by the German Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, based on existing screw presses. Gutenberg's creation of mechanical movable type printing introduced an era of mass communication which permanently altered the structure of society. The relatively unrestricted circulation of information—including revolutionary ideas—transcended borders, captured the masses in the Reformation and threatened the power of political and religious authorities; the sharp increase in literacy broke the monopoly of the literate elite on education and learning and bolstered the emerging middle class.

History

The history of the printing press begins with Gutenberg's invention in 1440. Gutenberg, a goldsmith by profession, developed a complete printing system, which perfected the printing process through all of its stages by adapting existing technologies to printing purposes, as well as making inventions of his own. His newly devised hand mould made possible the precise and rapid creation of metal movable type in large quantities. A single Renaissance printing press could produce up to 3,600 pages per workday, compared to a hand-copyist's output of a single page a day.

Pre-Gutenberg Printing

Before Gutenberg, printing was limited to the Far East and to the Byzantine Empire. In China, woodblock printing was used to print books, but it was labor-intensive and expensive. The Diamond Sutra, printed in 868, is the earliest known printed book.

Gutenberg and the Spread of the Printing Press

Gutenberg's printing technology quickly spread across Europe and the rest of the world. By the end of the 15th century, major cities in Italy, France, and Germany had established printing presses. The printing press played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment, and the scientific revolution and laid the material basis for the modern knowledge-based economy and the spread of learning to the masses.

Impact

The printing press had a profound impact on society. It greatly increased the availability of books and literacy rates among the European population. It also facilitated the spread of new ideas and the preservation of knowledge. The printing press is considered one of the key inventions of the second millennium, revolutionizing the way people conceive and describe the world they live in, and ushering in the modern period of human history.

Cultural

The spread of the printing press technology had a large influence on culture and society. The ability to quickly produce vast quantities of printed material led to a surge in literacy among the general population. For the first time, books became affordable to the lower class, which had a profound effect on the literacy rate of Europe.

Political

The printing press changed the nature of the political landscape in the Western world. The widespread distribution of political literature fueled the Reformation and made it possible for people to challenge established authorities. Pamphlets and documents could be produced quickly and spread widely, facilitating the spread of revolutionary ideas.

Scientific

The rapid dissemination of scientific ideas and experiments through printed materials accelerated the pace of scientific innovation. This facilitated the spread of new scientific theories and experiments across Europe, leading to significant advancements in various fields of study.

Modern Developments

While the traditional printing press has largely been superseded by digital and offset printing, the basic principle of Gutenberg's invention remains the foundation of today's printing industry. Modern presses are capable of printing thousands of sheets per hour, but the impact of the printing press remains evident in the widespread availability of printed materials.