Overview
The creation of the metallic and moveable type of printing press was completed between 1445 and 1450 and it completely shook Europe. A major contributor to the create of the press was Johannes Gutenberg. Soon after the press' completion Johannes began to print his Gutenberg's Bible and it officially became the first ever book printed from the new press.
The new press design spread rapidly all over Europe. By the 1460's it had spread to the Holy Roman Empire and ten years later the design had reached Italy, England, France, the Low Countries, Spain and E. Europe. One of the most famous printing centers at that time was Venice which had printed almost 2 million works and had about 100 printers by 1500. Printing quickly trumped all other industries and it effected Europe in many ways. Education and scholarly research was encouraged, it encouraged reading in general, and ideas could now be spread at rates that astounded everyone. While most every book was now printed the majority of books that were printed were religiously based. They ranged from Biblical commentaries, books of devotion and sermons. The minority of books printed included Latin/Greek classics, medieval grammars, legal handbooks, works on philosophy and popular romances.
The new press design spread rapidly all over Europe. By the 1460's it had spread to the Holy Roman Empire and ten years later the design had reached Italy, England, France, the Low Countries, Spain and E. Europe. One of the most famous printing centers at that time was Venice which had printed almost 2 million works and had about 100 printers by 1500. Printing quickly trumped all other industries and it effected Europe in many ways. Education and scholarly research was encouraged, it encouraged reading in general, and ideas could now be spread at rates that astounded everyone. While most every book was now printed the majority of books that were printed were religiously based. They ranged from Biblical commentaries, books of devotion and sermons. The minority of books printed included Latin/Greek classics, medieval grammars, legal handbooks, works on philosophy and popular romances.