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1397
The Birth of Johann Gutenberg
Gutenberg was born in the city of Mainz, Germany, around 1397 CE. His real name was, “Johann Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg” Gutenberg was born to a rich family who lived in a large manor house known as Gutenberg which is where the nickname came from. (When Johann went to school he went by Gutenberg for his house which is what he is known for.) -
Period: 1397 to Feb 3, 1468
Life and Death
Gutenberg's lifespan. Was born in the city of Mainz, Germany, around 1397 CE. Was born in the city of Mainz, Germany, around 1397 CE. -
1417
1st Job
When Gutenberg finished school around 1417 he went to work at his father’s mint, coining money for the city. Gutenberg enjoyed melting the metal and casting it into molds and since he liked working with metal he became a master metalsmith. -
1428
Exiled
Around 1428 Gutenberg’s family was exiled due to a revolt of the craftsmen against the nobles ruling the town. -
1430
Strasbourg and Back
After getting exiled in 1428, Gutenberg decided to move to Strasbourg, France where he lived from 1430-1444. He moved away when he lost a job engagement and his trail went cold for a while until it surfaced again back in Mainz. -
1447
The Idea
When Gutenberg got back from Strasbourg he hopped right back into the metalsmith profession and around 1447, Gutenberg had an amazing idea. The idea was that he could create mini metal letters that he could make words, sentences and pages of text out of. By applying ink to the surface of the type and pressing the paper onto it he could print those pages. -
1450
The Big One
Gutenberg had made a few books but was now ready to undertake a big project. That's when he started to make around 180 bibles, later to be called his 42-Line Bible. -
1454
The Bibles
In 1454 and 1455 Gutenberg's 42-line-bible was almost finished but there was a slight complication. -
1455
Johann Fust
Johannes Fust, a well known goldsmith, let Gutenberg borrow 800 guileders in 1450 to perfect Gutenberg’s movable-type printing process. About two years later an additional 800 men were lent. Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible was almost finished, but Fust sued in 1455 for 2,026 men to recover his money with interest. The court was pulled in Fust’s favour, and Gutenberg lost his invention and equipment. -
Feb 3, 1468
Guteneberg's Death
Seemed to still be living in Mainz, Germany and it's believed he went blind in the last months of his life.Gutenberg died on February 3, 1468, and was buried in the church of the Franciscan convent in a nearby town called Eltville, Germany.
