Originally published in 1911 as part of the author’s larger “Historic Inventions,” this Kindle edition, equivalent in length to a physical book of approximately 32 pages, describes, in simple language, the life and work of German printer Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400-1468), the first in the West to print by using movable type and a printing press. The so-called “Gutenberg Bible” (1450s) was the first major book to be printed using such a method.Sample passage:Gutenberg sat studying the broken block of wood. As he studied it a new idea came to him. Picking up his knife he split the wood, making separate pieces of every letter carved on it. Then he stared at the pile of little pieces that lay before him like a bundle of splinters. He realized that he was now on the trail of a greater discovery than any he had yet made, for these separate letters could be used over and over again, not only in printing one book but in printing hundreds.Taking a fresh block he split it into little strips, and cutting these down to the right size, he carved a letter on the end of each strip. This was more difficult than cutting on the solid block, and he spoiled many strips of wood before he got a letter that satisfied him. But finally he had made one, and then another, and another, until he had all the letters of the alphabet. He was careful to cut the sticks of the proper width, so that the letters would not be too far apart when they should be used for printing. When they were done he showed them to the others and called them “stucke,” or type They soon saw what a great step forward he had made.
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