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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Johannes Gutenberg Biography GUTENBERG , Johannes, inventor of printing with movable blocks, born in Mentz, Germany, about 1400; died there Feb. 24 1468. He became known by his mother's name, Gutenberg, his father's name being Johannes Gensfleish. Little is known of his life aside from his useful invention, which has largely revolutionized civilized arts. He taught stone-cutting, wood-carving, and mirror-polishing in Strasburg in 1434. From a decision rendered in the law courts of Strasburg it is learned that he formed a partuership with Andrew Dritzehn for the purpose of practicing printing with a press and a type-mold. He returned to Mentz in 1448, and the following year formed a partnership with Johannes Faust with the view of engaging in the printing business. Faust seems to have been a capitalist and by the terms of partnership furnished the necessary funds to enable Gutenberg to carry on the business. The partnership was terminated in 1455, Faust suing for money advanced and thereby securing possession of the printing supplies and business. Shortly after he concluded a partnership with Conrad Homery, built a new press, and transacted a limited amount of business. The productions of Gutenberg are difficult to identity, owing to a failure to place an imprint on any of them, but it is thought he published several books, both at Strasburg and Mentz. The most important of his productions is the Mazarin Bible, published while in partnership with Faust. His printing was done with wooden type and blocks, but shortly after his death metal type came into general use. The ancient Chinese, Babylonians, and Chaldaens practiced printing from large blocks, and several of their pictures and books are extant, but Gutenberg was the first European to introduce the printer's art and reduce it to practical utility. A fine bronze statue, the work of Thorwaldsen, was erected to his memory at Mentz in 1837. The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. II (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 779. |