Johannes Gutenberg (1395 - 1468), invented the type of mold, which made printing from movable metallic type practical for the first time. The invention assured an adequate supply of letters that were uniformly cast on equal metal bodies. Gutenberg and others used his invention to produce books in Mainz, Germany, during the mid-1400's Gutenberg was born in Mainz, a member of the aristocratic Gensfleisch family. He used his mother's name. He may have learned the necessary skills in metal work from an uncle who was a master of the mint. At that time, Mainz was center for many goldsmiths and jewelers. As an aristocrat, Gutenberg did not have to serve a regular apprentiship. Because of his family's involvement in local political squabbles, Gutenberg spent a number of years in exile in Strasbourg. He carried on experiments there to develope his revolutionary idea of the type of mold. The mold was one of the earliest precision instruments. The types it produced could be locked firmly together under the pressure of quoins (wedges) to make up a form (unit). A number of pages containing thousands of types could easily be put on and taken off the press. After printing, the types could be seperated and used again to set up other pages. Gutenberg adapted the ink for his press from materials known to early Flemish painters.

Johannes Gutenberg (1395 - 1468), invented the type of mold, which made printing from movable metallic type practical for the first time.  The invention assured an adequate supply of letters that were uniformly cast on equal metal bodies.  Gutenberg and others used his invention to produce books in Mainz, Germany, during the mid-1400's

Gutenberg was born in Mainz, a member of the aristocratic Gensfleisch family.  He used his mother's name.  He may have learned the necessary skills in metal work from an uncle who was a master of the mint.  At that time, Mainz was center for many goldsmiths and jewelers.  As an aristocrat, Gutenberg did not have to serve a regular apprenticeship.

Because of his family's involvement in local political squabbles, Gutenberg spent a number of years in exile in Strasbourg.  He carried on experiments there to develope his revolutionary idea of the type of mold.  The mold was one of the earliest precision instruments.  The types it produced could be locked firmly together under the pressure of quoins (wedges) to make up a form (unit).  A number of pages containing thousands of types could easily be put on and taken off the press.  After printing, the types could be seperated and used again to set up other pages.  Gutenberg adapted the ink for his press from materials known to early Flemish painters.