Database: The Printing Press

Strasbourg//1439

Although paper first appeared in China, the printing press emerged in Europe. Johannes Gutenberg and his associates apparently invented and constructed their wooden press in Strasbourg in 1439. Gutenberg had started to work on his printing press around 1436. The invention, which evolved greatly in the following years, allowed the mass production of printed books. In 1455, Gutenberg printed an estimated two hundred copies of the Bible. Accordingly, the printing press allowed the circulation and distribution of ideas and propaganda alike.