GUTENBERG, JOHANNES

born 14th century, , Mainz died , probably Feb. 3, 1468, Mainz in full Johann Gensfleisch Zur Laden Zum Gutenberg German craftsman and inventor who originated a method of printing from movable type that was used without important change until the 20th century. The unique elements of his invention consisted of a mold, with punch-stamped matrices (metal prisms used to mold the face of the type) with which type could be cast precisely and in large quantities; a type-metal alloy; a new press, derived from those used in wine making, papermaking, and bookbinding; and an oil-based printing ink. None of these features existed in Chinese or Korean printing, or in the existing European technique of stamping letters on various surfaces, or in woodblock printing. Additional reading Victor Scholderer, Johann Gutenberg, 2nd ed. rev. (1970), provides a brief discussion of Gutenberg's invention, pleasant and easy to read and well illustrated. Hellmut Lehmann-Haupt, Gutenberg and the Master of the Playing Cards (1966), examines whether Gutenberg may have been involved with the origins or early developments of copper engraving, based on the recently discovered connections between Gutenberg and early copper engravings, illuminated manuscripts, and illuminated printed books produced around the middle of the 15th century. Janet Ing, Johann Gutenberg and His Bible: A Historical Study (1988), summarizes research on his life and works.