Gutenberg, Johannes
A German inventor who introduced mechanical movable type printing to Europe, initiating the printing revolution.
Most quoted
"Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a new light to shine upon mankind."
— from Attributed
"Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it will scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a new light to shine among men."
— from Attributed, likely apocryphal but reflects his motivations, 1450
"God suffers in the multitude of souls whom His word can not reach. Religious truth is imprisoned in a few manuscripts which guard the treasure, instead of diffusing it. Let us break the seal which holds the word of God; let us give wings to truth, that it may speed from soul to soul, from town to town, from kingdom to kingdom."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Gutenberg, Johannes (379)
My invention is like a very fast, very accurate parrot. It repeats exactly what you tell it.
They say I'm a revolutionary. I just wanted to make more Bibles.
The greatest challenge? Convincing people that a machine can be as eloquent as a human hand.
I've made knowledge accessible. Now, if only I could make wisdom equally so.
My press doesn't get tired, doesn't complain, and rarely makes spelling errors. A true marvel.
They say I'm a man of letters. Indeed, many, many letters.
The future is printed. And probably a bit smudged.
I've simply given the world a louder voice. And a much more uniform one.
God suffers in the poor, and in the rich, and in the learned, and in the unlearned, and in the wise, and in the foolish, and in the good, and in the bad, and in the living, and in the dead.
Every man has a right to be heard, and to be heard in his own language.
What is written remains. The spoken word flies away.
The new art of printing is a divine art, which will be the means of spreading the light of truth throughout the world.
Without the printing press, the world would be a much darker place.
The printing press is a weapon against ignorance and superstition.
The beauty of the printed word is that it can be shared with all.
To print is to multiply knowledge, and to multiply knowledge is to multiply light.
The printed book is a silent teacher.
Through printing, the wisdom of the ages can be preserved for all time.
The art of printing is a gift from God to man, to enlighten his mind and to guide him in the path of truth.
Printing is the mother of all arts and sciences.