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While Gutenberg did not achieve the fame and fortune he deserved during his lifetime, his work continues to speak for him, long after his death.
1. His invention – the printing press was quickly recognized for its efficacy and utility, and within two decades its use had spread all over Europe. Gutenberg has been hailed by some as the greatest inventor of the millennium, whose invention has had a profound impact on humankind. |
2. Gutenberg's first and outstanding work The Bible
is now a collector’s item. Twenty-one copies of the original
are available and their historical significance along with their
workmanship make them priceless treasures. Most of the copies are
in national museums. About two decades ago, when one such copy came
up for auction in New York, it fetched $ 240,000.
3. A museum has been set up in Mainz, Germany, Gutenberg’s
hometown which houses some priceless relics detailing the history
of printing along with Gutenberg’s old printing press, and
a copy of the Gutenberg Bible.
4. In 1957 an international Gutenberg Society was
formed, which was instrumental in reconstructing the Gutenberg museum
that was demolished during World War II.
| 5. As Gutenberg’s year of birth cannot be precisely established. The year 1400 has been designated as his year of birth and in all, 2,000 major ceremonies marked his 600th birth anniversary. |
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