Gutenberg Bible
Definition
The Gutenberg Bible is the first major book printed using mass-produced movable metal type in Europe. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of printed books in the West.
Analogy
Think of the Gutenberg Bible as a pioneer, like Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. Just as Armstrong's steps changed space exploration forever, so did this bible change how information was disseminated, making it more accessible to everyone.
Related terms
Incunabula: These are books, pamphlets, or broadsides that were printed—not handwritten—before 1501 in Europe. The Gutenberg Bible falls into this category.
Johannes Gutenberg: He was a German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press.
Movable Type: This is a system of printing and typography that uses movable components to reproduce elements of a document (usually individual letters or punctuation).
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