How The First Printing Press Revolutionised Medieval Society

Stephen Fry takes a look inside the story of Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the world's first printing press in the 15th century, and an exploration of how and why the machine was invented.
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[@Zerodghjj]

I'm surprised Edison didn't take credit for inventing the printing press.

[@douglasgault5458]

I'm sure he tried to! He only tired to conner the market on every one's intellectual. He destroyed Tesla

[@ludmilakovarova2614]

What a nonsense... Printing press was in use years before Gutenberg. His invention was quite different: he invented the alloy used for the moveable types - before that, printing was done from carved wooden plates that did not last long.

[@Alkis05]

Yes. The first mass printed book was The Diamond Sutra, in 9th century. During the Song Dynasty (X-XIII centuries), a skilled typographer could print 2k double side pages sheets per day. Guttenberg contribution was probably about cutting down prices or books, by making the typesets more durable (metal) and cheaper to make and with better quality (better casting tech). Also, maybe better mechanizing the process, requiring less skilled typographers to get the same quality.

[@korefaust1409]

Also, Gutenberg didn't do everything on his own.

[@IA100KPDT]

Not really. Chinese used clay. Its burned in kiln and hardened. Wood of cos is used also.

[@jlole9460]

@@IA100KPDT But the Koreans used metal in like 1234 A.D

[@musicianwren9248]

The English dry humor is perhaps one of the best parts of this documentary.

[@loreena.plstne]

Stephen Fry is the best😊👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@jchappy1889]

anyone got a video on how the actual machine was made im really intrigued

[@terrirushford1747]

I will not dispute the influence Gutenberg had on Europe, however, he did not invent the printing press nor was he the first to use movable type. There were printed books 600 years before Gutenberg and wood block printing was common. The Chinese had movable type in the 6th century but it was too cumbersome for the language to catch on. This is common knowledge for anyone who has studied the history of graphic arts.

[@Psychol-Snooper]

It was the first device called a printing press. Printing goes back about 5000 years. Presses are of a similar antiquity. Moveable type I believe is about a thousand years old. But the configuration of all of the elements going into the Gutenberg press together are considered the first printing press. That is the correct nomenclature, and really need not court any controversy.

[@emilychb6621]

He still invented all of the processes and first made printing a mass producible thing. Simply using moveable type for prints had been around much longer, it just wasn't economical.

[@Alkis05]

And of course: A banker fucked up the guy who brought about the printing revolution in Europe.

[@korefaust1409]

My 15th great-grandfather wasn't a banker. There are only a handful of factual documents, and they show Gutenburg’s spending and the fact that Peter Schoeffer, my 15th great grandfather, had a huge part of developing the press machine.

[@markgarin6355]

Sorry, but what about the complexity of figuring out page 1......end, dual side printing issues, two page printing, did the have enough copy set to keep pages set up, or did they tear each page Down???

[@Alkis05]

I would imagine that they had enough copy set to print both sides of a sheet, such that each sheet would have four pages. But after printing enough copies of the sheet, they would tear it down and setup the copies of the next sheets. The Guttenberg bible had 1286 pages, so at least 320 sheets.

[@HoangNguyen-xw6qo]

good

[@stephen442]

The movable type metal printing press was invented in Korea in 1234 by Chwe Yoon Eyee during the Goryeo Dynasty -216 years ahead of Gutenberg in 1450. This means Gutenberg did not invented but copied. The book of Jickji Heart proves it.

[@TheGuyCalledX]

It existed in China since at least 1040 AD.

[@jlole9460]

@@TheGuyCalledX But the Chinese one was not made of metal

[@tauceti8341]

Miles of bookcases what is that legit?

[@Ennead13x]

Did anyone else have to pause the video and ugly laugh when they said having "a common and universally accepted version of the Bible might be a powerful weapon in the battle to preserve Christian unity"? That did...not work out so well, even with the ability to make exact copies.

[@billhenry7213]

You have no history for comparison. You have no idea what might have happened had these bibles not been produced.

[@Ennead13x]

Bill Henry ...I didn't think that was in question? I mean, the printmakers didn't either, but for entirely different reasons. I was just commenting on the dramatic irony.

[@who-gives-a-toss_Bear]

This is just a repeat. Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@axelhopfinger533]

Yep, Germans pretty much invented the foundations of our modern world (with some contribution of Italians and English). Never forget that!

[@fullup91]

Lol. Some contributions... okay.

[@Sekei..]

Well as good old Arty Schopenhauer said: "Die wohlfeilste Art des Stolzes hingegen ist der Nationalstolz. Denn er verrät in dem damit Behafteten den Mangel an individuellen Eigenschaften, auf die er stolz sein könnte, indem er sonst nicht zu dem greifen würde, was er mit so vielen Millionen teilt. Wer bedeutende persönliche Vorzüge besitzt, wird vielmehr die Fehler seiner eigenen Nation, da er sie beständig vor Augen hat, am deutlichsten erkennen. Aber jeder erbärmliche Tropf, der nichts in der Welt hat, darauf er stolz sein könnte, ergreift das letzte Mittel, auf die Nation, der er gerade angehört, stolz zu sein.Hieran erholt er sich und ist nun dankbarlich bereit, alle Fehler und Torheiten, die ihr eigen sind, mit Händen und Füßen zu verteidigen." Maybe the Germans invented scathing self-criticism as well. Ironically Gutenberg wouldn't even have considered himself German anyway, as that designation is pretty much apocryphal to anyone born before 1871 if you're being stringent.

[@allangibson8494]

The Germanic speaking people spent four centuries building them up and a half century tearing them down.... We still live with the horrific echos of the latter efforts.

[@meriadocbrandybuck9833]

I’m afraid I must disagree. Centuries of Catholics invented the major basis for the modern world. They invented the university system, hospitals, the basis of universal law and the idea of equal judgement under it, they preserved ancient texts and wrote the only histories we have of Western Europe for nearly a millennium, they discovered the heliocentric universe, and kept classic Latin literature (such as Cicero,) alive. Irish Catholic monks compiled the first edition of the Bible in one volume (naturally in Latin,) Catholic-sponsored artists revolutionised art, starting the realism trend, built the first telescopes, discovered the principles for and built the first internal combustion engine, created and to an extent enforced principles for the treatment of the environment, put a check on the absolutist power of the monarchy, discovered genes and cells, set a foundation for modern social work and founded early primary schools. Frankly, if you take all their massive social contributions out of our society, it’s hard to imagine a modern world.

[@shafinrahman2199]

And I suppose Islamic golden age Persia Syria was choking on horseshit ?

[@acepilot1]

“Perhaps he looked like you, or me... unlikely, he would’ve been burnt if he looked like me”

[@yihchiehseeto225]

Paragraph Extract - The world's first movable type printing technology for paper books was made of porcelain materials and was invented around AD 1040 in China during the Northern Song Dynasty by the inventor Bi Sheng (990-1051).[1] The earliest printed paper money with movable metal type to print the identifying code of the money was made in 1161 during the Song Dynasty.[2] In 1193, a book in the Song dynasty documented how to use the copper movable type.[3] The oldest extant book printed with movable metal type, Jikji, was printed in Korea in 1377 during the Goryeo dynasty.

[@price7997]

Worng. China did not invented the ‘press’. It is South Korea. Chinese…… need to know that why entire world hates you guys.

[@marionoh2060]

As a matter of fact, mobile printing press is a Korean invention of XIV C. The book known as Jikji ( 1337 ) which is a collection of Buddhist teachings, was printed in Korea, using movable press, in 1377. That is 70 years before Gutenberg's alleged "invention". It is time for us westerners to start curing our westerncentric vision of History.

[@yihchiehseeto225]

Paragraph Extract -The world's first movable type printing technology for paper books was made of porcelain materials and was invented around AD 1040 in China during the Northern Song Dynasty by the inventor Bi Sheng (990-1051).[1] The earliest printed paper money with movable metal type to print the identifying code of the money was made in 1161 during the Song Dynasty.[2] In 1193, a book in the Song dynasty documented how to use the copper movable type.[3] The oldest extant book printed with movable metal type, Jikji, was printed in Korea in 1377 during the Goryeo dynasty.

[@price7997]

@@yihchiehseeto225 Oh Yeah. China mad everything. You guys are crazy. Where are the books printed by the technology you are claiming? You invented the technology but did not know how to use it? haahahah. I can say that North Korea invented The world's first movable type printing technology in 001 Without any evidence, it is easy to say.

[@jlole9460]

@BYRRD U wrong bru

[@MattyMcFly_]

Anything with Stephen Fry in gets my vote, I just wish there were more adverts in it

[@korefaust1409]

Schoeffee is my 14th great-grandfather, which makes Fust my 15th. Alix Christie wrote a fictional book called Gutenberg’s Apprentice. I've known of the story for 10/11 years, but now more than ever, I'm glad my ancestors are being acknowledged.

[@allythorpe74]

Just wondering why you've posted this twice ? Running out of material to copy. your re copying your previous copies of History channel

[@IA100KPDT]

The first mass printed book in Europe cannot be the bible. How can u be printing in colour with first alphabet so decorated? It is the effort of post production.

[@shaneyofcourse]

Anyone else think the guy in the thumbnail looks like Alex Horne?

[@lbn6486]

What. British people using miles?

[@steevf]

This was from 2008. This channel is great as it brings back these older documentaries! Also, why hasn't Stephen Fry been knighted yet?

[@allangibson8494]

His past legal history precludes a knighthood....

[@antipatsy]

he was offered one in or around 2010, but he turned it down.

[@angelaparker4110]

I’m sure you were a very handsome baby, Mr. Fry…

[@acenoir9923]

More Stephen Fry, please 💙💙💙

[@aimenehabaieb]

i'm here at 666k subscribers

[@ferociousgumby]

I love Stephen Fry, but he should do something about his hair.

[@natebalcerak1659]

Are you truly so petty?

[@73Datsun180B]

No-way, that's the classic Fried-cut!

[@qzorn4440]

gee, i thought is was 2 kids playing in Gutenberg's work shop and they were stamping out smiley face mud pies. then Gutenberg said move over kids i have an idea. Mmmm

[@seanomalley6507]

Who else here is watching Ascendance of a Bookworm? It’s gotten me interested in this topic.

[@narcky2956]

His nose on a side, it made me remember my nephews when one fainted on a concrete floor and the other received a blow on a fight. Both brothers have that nose, but on opposite sides.

[@chrispbacon3042]

Steven Fry doing manual labour, now that is funny.

[@lukamilosevic3191]

Anyone from our school here? You know who you are

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Great documentary 👏👏👏

[@crystalbarnes4876]

While Gutenberg may have independently invented the printing press, he was not the first... The Chinese invented it and movable types before he did.

[@price7997]

We are not talking about movable type. We are talking about ‘press”. Please get out of this chinses.

[@closiewoo5658]

How does this channel have the rights to upload all this content? It seems very legit, just interested why these are okay to be shared on a public platform :) Not that I'm complaining! Love having so many documentaries available!

[@emilychb6621]

Easy: Found company. Buy streaming rights from the smaller individual companies that produced these documentaries. Stream content to your heart's content.

[@Alkis05]

Emily is right. This channel is part of Little Dot Studios, which has over 30 channels across many social media websites. They licensed "over 15,000 hours of hand-picked long-form content", according to their webpage.

[@lakrids-pibe]

11:24 The year 1400 is when *Geoffrey Chaucer* dies, He was an english poet and author, best known for The Canterbury Tales. (I'm not british, so his name doesn't mean much to me)

[@jasonuren3479]

Quite Interesting 😉. Frustrating that you get multiple ad breaks that can't be skipped though. Every single one.

[@sayandey2041]

Excellent job 👏👏👏

[@syntacticalcrab]

Excuse me, the WORLD's? What's Asia, chopped liver?

[@emilychb6621]

China didn't like being part of the world so they stopped exploring.

[@hyunwoojin873]

world first is korean jikji

[@jjl3541]

But the first printing press was made by korea.....

[@jjl3541]

This contents is wrong A lots of people think the first inventor was Gutenberg , but Korea is the first inventor !!!!!

[@marionoh2060]

Very true.

[@collinz5923]

@@jjl3541 not really, printing was actually first emerged from China, not Korea

[@collinz5923]

@Freshman Z "The printing press is a device that allows for the mass production of uniform printed matter, mainly text in the form of books, pamphlets and newspapers. Created in China, the printing press revolutionized society there before being further developed in Europe in the 15th Century by Johannes Gutenberg and his invention of the Gutenberg press." From History.com

[@jlole9460]

No. The First metal printing press was made by Korea