If your family plans to play any Trivial Pursuit this holiday season, you might want to brush up on your fun facts. Specifically, we’ve got some interesting printing facts for you. Test your knowledge below!
- The printing press was invented by German inventor Johannes Gutenberg around 1439.
- By the end of the 15th century, Gutenberg’s invention had spread to at least 270 European cities. Despite his success, Gutenberg died a poor man. He was sued by his wealthy business partners in 1455 and lost the lawsuit, which resulted in being forced to give up his printing business. He had fallen into financial ruin by the time he died in 1468.
- The invention of the printing press is considered one of the most important milestones of the 2nd millennium.
- The invention of the printing press started an event known as the printing revolution. The printing revolution was the rapid expansion of printing presses across Europe and the rest of the world. It allowed people to rapidly circulate information and ideas.
- The invention of the printing press dramatically decreased the cost of reading materials and increased their accessibility to people. Einstein praised the printing press, noting it was an important agent in the transformation of learning and the rise of modern scientific thought.
- Estimates claim the printing press was able to create over 20 million copies between 1455 and 1500.
- Gutenberg style printing presses were able to output around 240 pages per hour. Modern offset presses can operate at speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, or 300 sheets per minute.
- By the start of the industrial revolution the mechanics of the Gutenberg-style printing press were still the same.
- The first book to be printed was the Gutenberg Bible in 1455. Gutenberg printed more than 150 copies of the Bible, but the whereabouts of only 49 are known today
