Radicalism in Printing

Radicalism in Print Culture

Your first blog/journal topic is on radicalism in printing. For this, you will want to think about how technologies of (print) production shape our access to information.  For example, consider  Gutenberg, Martin Luther, William Blake to SOPA and beyond in your responses.  Given our discussion on open-source, you may want to use "Wikipedia" as your first point of entry for each aforementioned person or political bill.

Your entries are due in two weeks (February 7th) either in class with your print version or online with your blog entry.

With literacy spreading and developing in universities during the 15^th century, it became more difficult for society to keep with the demand.  But change was soon to arrive.

In 1436, Johannes Gutenberg began his work on the printing press alongside Andreas Dritzehn; a man who had previously trained in gem-cutting. But in1439, a lawsuit was made against Gutenberg in which an official record showed that there was a witness’ evidence showing a discussion of the invention, by him. Although many have tried to create a metal type that could help to improve the printing development, Gutenberg, who was trained as a goldsmith was successfully able to produce such an invention.

Gutenberg’s metal types were made out of lead, tin and antimony, which were crucial for producing durable types that would help produce high quality printed books. These metal types were created using a “special matrix” that supported the quick but precise molding of this new type of blocks from a uniform template. His original type case was estimated to be made up of around 290 separate letter blocks.

            Alongside creating the metal types, he was also credited with introducing oil-based inks which are more durable than formerly used water-based inks. The water –based inks were used for hand lettering and block printing and would not bond will the metal type well, thus improving the ink was essential.

Although Gutenberg may have invented his metal types, a press was still needed to transfer the image from type to paper. Johannes was innovated to adapt already existing press into the printing press. An operator was needed to work the lever to increase as well as decrease the pressure placed onto the block that was against the paper. The printing press began a revolution that is still around today, to help improve our technological advances. His inventions allowed for our generations to modify and alter it, enabling our numerous technological advances.

CITATION

History of the Printing Press – Invention of the Printing Press. N.P. N.D. Web. 4. Feb.           2012.

Johannes Gutenberg – Printing Press. N.P. N.D. Web. 4. Feb. 2012.