Johannes Gutenberg

A Classic Case of Copyright Infringement

The inventor of moveable type had a huge impact on the world even though he didn't receive much credit (or money) in his lifetime. In fact, I would be bold enough to say this man launched the Renaissance in Northern Europe. We tend to underestimate the incredible invention of moveable type and what it did for the western world. True - many presses were already invented and Gutenberg studied and modified existing models in order to create the first printing press. True - the ancient Chinese invented the first stamps (called chops) and therefore the invention of printing.

 I mentioned before; "...there are two basic ways to come up with a 'new' design. The first way is to create something so new and original that no other product on the market compares to what it can do. The other way is to improve upon a product design that already exists. We call inventors who tackle the first way, geniuses and we tend to ignore the other group." Johannes Gutenberg falls into the second category; he invented a totally new concept from two pre-existing concepts.

I also mentioned that we are in the beginning of the "Digital Revolution" and very much like the Industrial Revolution; we are repeating history's mistakes. During the Industrial Revolution thousands of inventions were ripped off from the original inventors. In fact, our first true copyright laws in America are created right after the Industrial Revolution. The United States government saw a need to protect these small product designers and developed copyright laws for the small business owner. The horrible reality today is copyright laws only protect large corporations or those who can afford to sue. There is even talk about lessening the laws protecting the common person from copyright infringement in the future. Ironically enough, in the midst of all this, even our own government was infringed upon by another country. I hope they now know how it feels!

Let's get back to the incredible story of Johannes Gutenberg. One might think that he had a great start because he built on two already existing ideas. This deduction would not be true. He spent over 10 years studying the mechanic of wine, cheese and olive presses. He also had to invent an alloy (a combination of at least two metals) that would withstand the intense beating of a press, minute after minute, each and every day. He also had to invent an ink that would not 'bead' up on metal. He used a linseed oil base that was sticky enough to create an even coat on metal. Each one of these inventions took over 10 years, lots of money and time. This is why inventors (even today) live very humble lives and have to solicit capitalists for money. (And they have to do this while inventing!)

I've created a timeline of Johann's struggles. (You can click on the image to read it) The sad fact to this story is that on the night when his famous 42-line bible was going to be printed, bound and distributed, he was locked out of his own print shop. The man who 'legally' seized the shop hired his assistant and by doing so, stole all Johann's secrets. Johannes Gutenberg could do nothing but sit back and watch someone else become rich off of his invention. Within three years after the invention of moveable type, thousands of printing presses were created all over northern Europe which kicked the Renaissance into its peak.

You would think such a sad story would end with this horrible mistreatment but that is not true. Johannes Gutenberg was such a master of inventions; he quietly created another print shop and press and began mastering copperplate engravings. Some say he trained with a famous (yet anonymous) artist called the "Master of Playing Cards." Some say that Johann himself was the Master of Playing Cards but finally learned to keep his mouth shut until the inventions were straight off the press and in the public's eye.

(timeline of Gutenberg's struggles - by dianne curtis)