Born “Johann Gensfleisch” (John Gooseflesh), it is not surprising that he preferred to be known as “Johann Gutenberg” (John Beautiful Mountain). Very little is known of Gutenberg’s studies or apprenticeship except that he learned the trade of a goldsmith while living in Mainz. Around 1428 his family was exiled and in 1430 Gutenberg went to Strassburg, where he experimented with printing and where he remained until 1444.
Gutenberg straddled the transition from xylography (new word new word) to typography. This was an important leap because xylography,involved reproduction by means of wood carving where a small separate block (type) was used for each sign or character.
A moneylender named Johann Fust loaned Gutenberg the money to build his press. But in 1455, something went badly wrong and Fust sued Gutenberg for 2 000 Guilders, claiming that Gutenberg had mishandled his funds. The court ruled in favour of Fust, leaving Gutenberg bankrupt.
Fust opened his own print shop, giving no credit to Gutenberg. This appears to be a Gutenberg thematic because he was not given proper recognition for his invention throughout his life. It was not until after his death that Gutenberg’s contributions to print technology were fully realised.
Gutenberg led an extraordinary life but died in relative poverty. Reportedly, Gutenberg became blind in the last months of his life. He died in St. Victor’s parish in Mainz and was buried in the church of the local Franciscan convent in that town. The cemetery where he was buried was later destroyed, and his grave lost.Despite the fact his physical appearance is unknown, there are many depictions of his face and form, with statues erected in Mainz and Strassburg. In 1900 the
Gutenberg Museum was founded in Mainz with a library containing objects and documents related to the invention of typography. Typography…I love typography. One of the other main attractions at the museum is a reconstruction of his workshop. Sign me up for that tour.Johannes presented a lot of gift wrapping possibilities – the printing press, the typewriter, the Reformation, the Bible, hand illumination, typography and then even more typography. I went for a Gutenberg inspired typeface motif because frankly I love the look and added in rich gold tassels to reference the gorgeous gold hand illuminated pages of the Gutenberg bibles. It’s an olde worlde approach but I like it. I reserve the right to come to do a major typography wrap in the near future.
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