Gutenberg | Timeline

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (c. 1398 – February 3, 1468) was a German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to Europe. His introduction of mechanical movable type printing to Europe started the Printing Revolution and is widely regarded as the most important invention of the second millennium, the seminal event which ushered in the modern period of human history. It 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. (Intro from Wikipedia)

January(?) 1(?), 1398 - Mainz - Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg is born

January(?) 1(?), 1411 - Eltville am Rhein - The Gutenberg family moves to Eltville am Rhein because of an uprising against the patricians

March 1(?), 1434 - Strasbourg - According to letters, Gutenberg was living in Strasbourg at this time, as a goldsmith =(START)

January(?) 1(?), 1437 - Strasbourg - Gutenberg teaches a wealthy tradesman on polishing gems

January(?) 1(?), 1439 - Strasbourg - Gutenberg is envolved in a financial misadventure making polished metal mirrors (which were believed to capture holy light from religious relics) to sale to pilgrims to Aachen

June(?) 1(?), 1439 - Strasbourg - Gutenberg has the ideia of printing with movable type

Printing Press

January(?) 1(?), 1444 - Strasbourg - Experimenting with engraving in copper. He returns to Mainz

January(?) 1(?), 1445 - Mainz - Returns to Mainz

January(?) 1(?), 1448 - Mainz - Gutenberg takes a loan from his brother-in-law, Arnold Gelthus,  probably for a printing press or related paraphernalia

January(?) 1(?), 1450 - Mainz - The press is in operation, and Gutenberg prints a german poem. Gets a loan of 800 guilders

January(?) 1(?), 1452 - Hof Humbrecht (Mainz?) - Gutenberg asks for another loan. Starts printing Latin grammars

January(?) 1(?), 1455 - Hof Humbrecht (Mainz?) - Gutenberg completes the Bible - 180 copies are pressed in paper and some on vellum

November 1, 1455 - Hof Humbrecht (Mainz?) - Gutenberg's debt exceeds 20,000 guilders, and his partner Fust sues at the Court of the Archbishop

January(?) 1(?), 1456 - Mainz - The Court decides in favor of Fust. Gutenberg is bankrupt

January(?) 1(?), 1459 - Bamberg, W of Bayreuth - Retains /restarts a small printing shop - Prints a Bible in the town of Bamberg

October(?) 28(?), 1462 - Mainz - The city is sacked by Archbishop Adolph von Nassau. Gutenberg goes into exile

January(?) 1(?), 1463 - Eltville am Rhein - Gutenberg moves to Eltville, where he supervises a new printing press belonging to the brothers Bechtermünze

Gutenberg's Bible

January 1(?), 1465 - Mainz - Gutenberg's achievements are recognized and he is given the title of "Hofmann" (gentleman of the Court) by Von Nassau. This honor included a stipend, an annual court outfit, as well as 2,180 litres of grain and 2,000 litres of wine tax-free

February 3, 1468 - Mainz - Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg dies, aged 70 =(END)