Who developed a movable-type printing press in Europe around 1440?
AnswerJohannes Gutenberg
Around 1440 Gutenberg combined movable metal type with oil-based ink to print pages quickly.
History · Facts & stats
Press facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about the printing press and the news press, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
In the phrase 'freedom of the press', what does 'the press' mean?
AnswerNews media such as newspapers and broadcasters
'The press' came to mean journalism because news was produced on printing presses.
Going deeper
What was movable type?
AnswerIndividual reusable letters arranged to form pages
Movable type let printers rearrange individual letters for each new page.
What existing machine did Gutenberg adapt for his printing press?
AnswerA screw press like those used for wine and olives
Screw presses for wine and olive oil gave Gutenberg a way to apply even pressure.
Why are capital letters called 'uppercase'?
AnswerPrinters kept them in the upper of two type cases
Compositors stored capitals in the upper case and small letters in the lower case.
Expert level
Which printing method transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to paper?
AnswerOffset lithography
In offset printing the image is 'offset' onto a rubber blanket before it reaches paper.
Gutenberg's metal type was cast mainly from which metal?
AnswerLead
His type metal was mostly lead, alloyed with tin and antimony.
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