In 1938, Chester Carlson, an American physicist, inventor, and patent attorney, invented electrophotography—”the dry printing process we know today as a Xerox” or photocopying (Roff, 2021). Prior to Xerox, however, there was the oldest known printed text from China that existed in the first millennium A.D. (History.com Editors, 2018), implying that printing has long existed centuries back. It was then followed by a couple types of printing press, such as Bi Sheng’s moveable type and Wang Chen’s wooden type in the early second millennium A.D. (History.com Editors, 2018).
Since the earliest printing presses were in Asia, it must have been a huge milestone for Europe when Johannes Gutenberg began developing his printing press in 1436, a machine that sped up the production of text paper copies (Oregon State University, n.d.), considering the time-consuming and expensive process of book copying by hand or woodblock printing that only a few could afford at the time (Mark, 2023). After over a decade in 1454, Gutenberg produced thousands of copies of different writings by finally bringing his press into commercial use (Oregon State University, n.d.), which later would aid the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century. Later around 1455, he produced his 42-line Bible, which many believe to be the first Bible ever printed.
As it is known, Martin Luther is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity for leading the Protestant Reformation. When he wrote “The 95 Theses” to question the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church (History.com Editors, 2018), Gutenberg’s printing press played a crucial role in producing and disseminating more copies of the theses at cheaper prices. This was a significant triumph for the reformers despite the then-current persecution and previously failed attempts of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus (Mark, 2023).
The Gutenberg Press was truly instrumental in the spread of more and accessible writings, which meant more information to the Europeans. The Bible and other Christian writings became more accessible to challenge normative beliefs. Ultimately, it was instrumental in spreading the reformers’ message that continues to impact us today. Undeniably, these are works God allowed, in His wise counsel, to show that His Word endures and remains true. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).”
References:
History.com Editors. (2018, May 7). Printing Press. HISTORY. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/printing-press
Karant-Nunn, S., & Lotz-Heumann, U. (2017). Confessional Conflict. After 500 Years: Print and Propaganda in the Protestant Reformation. University of Arizona Libraries. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/reformation/role-of-printing
Mark, J. J. (2023, May 16). Johannes Gutenberg. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Johannes_Gutenberg/
Oregon State University. (n.d.). Treasures of the McDonald Collection. Special Collections & Archives Research Center. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/mcdonald/incunabula/gutenberg
Roff, E. (2021, May 17). The history of printing in the computer age. ASL Group. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://asl-group.co.uk/history-of-printing-computer-age/#
