Printing · Germany · c. 1400–1468
Johannes Gutenberg Life & Career Timeline
Movable type, repeatable pages and a communications revolution.
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JGJohannes GutenbergPrinting · Germany
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About Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg combined metal type, oil-based ink and press production into a system that transformed the circulation of knowledge.
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Johannes Gutenberg biography
Johannes Gutenberg timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Mainz
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg was born into a patrician family; the exact year is uncertain.
Source: www.gutenberg.deFamily leaves Mainz
Conflict between patricians and guilds displaced members of the Gutenberg family.
Source: www.gutenberg.deFather dies
Friele Gensfleisch died, leaving documentary traces of the family property.
Source: www.gutenberg.deRecorded in Strasbourg
A legal record places Gutenberg in Strasbourg, where he pursued commercial and technical work.
Source: www.gutenberg.deBroken marriage promise case
Ennelin zu der Iserin Tür sued Gutenberg over an alleged promise of marriage.
Source: www.gutenberg.deForms technical partnership
Gutenberg partnered with Andreas Dritzehn and others on polished mirrors and a guarded new process.
Source: www.gutenberg.deCourt reveals secret project
Testimony after Dritzehn’s death mentioned a press, pieces and forms, evidence of experimental manufacture.
Source: www.gutenberg.deLast Strasbourg record
Gutenberg disappeared from surviving Strasbourg records as his work moved toward printing.
Source: www.gutenberg.deBorrows money in Mainz
A loan from Arnold Gelthus helped finance Gutenberg’s return and workshop.
Source: www.gutenberg.dePartners with Johann Fust
Fust financed equipment and materials for Gutenberg’s printing enterprise.
Source: www.gutenberg.deSecond Fust investment
Additional capital supported the costly production of a large Latin Bible.
Source: www.gutenberg.deTurkish indulgence printed
A dated indulgence demonstrated rapid production of administrative text with movable type.
Source: www.gutenberg.deForty-two-line Bible completed
The Gutenberg Bible combined mechanical reproduction with the visual standards of illuminated manuscripts.
Source: www.gutenberg.deFust lawsuit judgment
A notarial record documents Fust’s financial claim; Gutenberg likely lost control of major equipment.
Source: www.gutenberg.deMainz Psalter published by former workshop
Fust and Peter Schöffer issued a sophisticated colour-printed Psalter after separating from Gutenberg.
Source: www.gutenberg.deCatholicon associated with Gutenberg
A large Latin dictionary was traditionally linked to Gutenberg, though modern scholarship debates its production.
Source: www.gutenberg.deAppointed court gentleman
Archbishop Adolf of Nassau granted Gutenberg clothing, grain, wine and tax privileges.
Source: www.gutenberg.deDies in Mainz
Gutenberg died and was buried at the Franciscan church, later demolished.
Source: www.gutenberg.deThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Johannes Gutenberg or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Johannes Gutenberg timeline
Who is Johannes Gutenberg?
Johannes Gutenberg combined metal type, oil-based ink and press production into a system that transformed the circulation of knowledge.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning c. 1400–1468.
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This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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