Impact

(Johannes Gutenberg)

         The early impact of the press was how it affected Johannes Gutenberg and Europe (History.com Editors). After the press was invented, Gutenberg borrowed money from Johann Fust, and printed copies of the Gutenberg Bible (History.com Editors). The bible had a brown leather cover, and had 42 lines and 2 columns on each page (Biblia Latina). After this Gutenberg did not pay off his debts and was sued by Fust (History.com Editors). The lawsuit stated, in part, “... Johann Gutenberg was to pay him interest at six on these 800 guilders” (Helmasperger). After this, Gutenberg’s press was given over to Fust and Peter Schoffer (History.com Editors). The reaction to the press involved it being traded with other European nations, which greatly benefitted the German economy (History.com Editors). When Italy received the press, literary items grew in popularity throughout the country (History.com Editors). In France, the press was used for libraries and the education of students (History.com Editors). When the press was introduced to England, a man named William Caxton used it to print his writings and translations of them (History.com Editors).