Early Life
Johannes Gutenberg was born in 1398, in Mainz, Germany. He was born into an aristocratic family of skilled metal craftsman. Knowledge of metals was useful to him as he developed his method of casting printing type. He was trained as a goldsmith, gem cutter and metallurgist.
Johannes enjoyed reading manuscripts and block books that his parents and their wealthy friends had. Gutenberg often said it was a pity that only rich people could own books. Finally he determined to find an easy and quick way of printing. Gutenberg did a great deal of his work in secret, because he thought it was much better that his neighbors shouldn't know what he was doing. He looked for a workshop where no one would be likely to find him.
Gutenberg died in 1468, not poor but not well off because his invention failed to have financial rewards. He was buried in a Franciscan church, which was demolished and replaced with another church, which was also demolished. While Gutenberg sadly went without reward for producing the machine that changed the world, history recognizes him as holding this honor. Without his invention, the Protestant Reformation would not have been possible.
Johannes enjoyed reading manuscripts and block books that his parents and their wealthy friends had. Gutenberg often said it was a pity that only rich people could own books. Finally he determined to find an easy and quick way of printing. Gutenberg did a great deal of his work in secret, because he thought it was much better that his neighbors shouldn't know what he was doing. He looked for a workshop where no one would be likely to find him.
Gutenberg died in 1468, not poor but not well off because his invention failed to have financial rewards. He was buried in a Franciscan church, which was demolished and replaced with another church, which was also demolished. While Gutenberg sadly went without reward for producing the machine that changed the world, history recognizes him as holding this honor. Without his invention, the Protestant Reformation would not have been possible.