Whose Invention Revolutionised Printing?

While China and Korea developed movable type centuries earlier (Bi Sheng in China circa 1040 CE, Jikji in Korea in 1377), Gutenberg independently created a complete system of printing around 1440 that proved transformative for Western civilization. His innovations included: an adjustable mould for casting uniform metal type pieces; an oil-based ink that adhered to metal type; and adaptation of a screw press (from winemaking) for printing. The Gutenberg Bible (circa 1455) was the first major book printed using movable type in Europe — about 180 copies were produced, of which 49 survive. Before Gutenberg, a book required months of hand-copying; afterward, presses could produce hundreds of identical copies in days. Within 50 years, over 20 million volumes had been printed. The printing press enabled the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther pamphlets spread rapidly), the Scientific Revolution, and ultimately mass literacy.