How The Printing Press Revolutionized The World The Machine That Made Us Timeline
video description
Date: 2022-07-19
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
mooncat
i started a degree in graphic design at london college of communication ( formerly london college of printing, university of the arts London, had to give up the degree due to severe mental illness, the only proper project i ever finished while there was letter press, we had to choose a bolt on project, a project in one of a selection of different areas, i chose letter press as it appealed to me. I got friendly with one of the letter press technicians, he said that when photoshop and computer based desk top publishing became really big, letter press became really unpopular, they wanted to close down the printing press department and he had to fight to keep it going, i was so glad he did, he said in recent years there has been a bit of a come back in the traditional printing press methods, which pleased me. the letter press studio was like a museum, letters so small you need a magnifying glass to see them, letters as big as the palm of your hand, letters made of lead, letters hand carved from wood. big heavy printing press machines, prob made of caste iron, some of which they can no longer use due to health and safety, but these machines remained there, defiantly bolted to the ground, i liked that they were still there, even though they could no longer be used by students. you just cannot achieve the feel and look of letter press on a computer. i felt it important to know the traditional methods of my subject area.
reply
i started a degree in graphic design at london college of communication ( formerly london college of printing, university of the arts London, had to give up the degree due to severe mental illness, the only proper project i ever finished while there was letter press, we had to choose a bolt on project, a project in one of a selection of different areas, i chose letter press as it appealed to me. I got friendly with one of the letter press technicians, he said that when photoshop and computer based desk top publishing became really big, letter press became really unpopular, they wanted to close down the printing press department and he had to fight to keep it going, i was so glad he did, he said in recent years there has been a bit of a come back in the traditional printing press methods, which pleased me. the letter press studio was like a museum, letters so small you need a magnifying glass to see them, letters as big as the palm of your hand, letters made of lead, letters hand carved from wood. big heavy printing press machines, prob made of caste iron, some of which they can no longer use due to health and safety, but these machines remained there, defiantly bolted to the ground, i liked that they were still there, even though they could no longer be used by students. you just cannot achieve the feel and look of letter press on a computer. i felt it important to know the traditional methods of my subject area.
reply
Brian
Thanks for a great series. My eldest granddaughter, 13, and her younger sister, 8, asked me about printing and how it started, so I bought her and her little sister printing packs like the one Stephen showed us. and showed them how to use it. Told them I also had one as a boy. They had oodles of fun with it, so I showed them your video, it was above the little one's head, but the 13 yr old grasped it amazingly. I did have to explain a few things along the way. she was riveted to all the scenes showing the presses. But I showed them how to do the 'toy' printing process first. I got questions like. Why are we putting the type in backwards, and other similar questions. but it was good fun for them, and grandpa alike. When I told them I worked at a major newspaper in Sydney as a copybody, I got a load of other questions from these inquiring minds. well, you can imagine this old grandpa was in his element. I had a ball with my grandies, and their endless questions. Timeline. keep these vids going. and can you get someone to video a simpler version of how the printing press works, for children, please.
reply
Thanks for a great series. My eldest granddaughter, 13, and her younger sister, 8, asked me about printing and how it started, so I bought her and her little sister printing packs like the one Stephen showed us. and showed them how to use it. Told them I also had one as a boy. They had oodles of fun with it, so I showed them your video, it was above the little one's head, but the 13 yr old grasped it amazingly. I did have to explain a few things along the way. she was riveted to all the scenes showing the presses. But I showed them how to do the 'toy' printing process first. I got questions like. Why are we putting the type in backwards, and other similar questions. but it was good fun for them, and grandpa alike. When I told them I worked at a major newspaper in Sydney as a copybody, I got a load of other questions from these inquiring minds. well, you can imagine this old grandpa was in his element. I had a ball with my grandies, and their endless questions. Timeline. keep these vids going. and can you get someone to video a simpler version of how the printing press works, for children, please.
reply
Charlene
Great video. in letter block scene I notice your fingernail had a blood blister. I had a sewing mishap where I had somewhat simular. soak hand warm water, I did twice at fifteen minutes. wrap large bandaid with gauze, anti bacterial ointment, a couple drops od water on the gauze pad part. wrap med tape around so stays on where knuckle is, a day or two kept on and moistened if needed, dab hand into dish water and I found pressure within 2 days disipated near completely. your finger will be like it gets from soaking, but no pain from pressure beneath the nail. I was able to sew within minimal amount of time.
Wonderful letter press video. thank you. printing process' are very interesting always learning.
reply
Great video. in letter block scene I notice your fingernail had a blood blister. I had a sewing mishap where I had somewhat simular. soak hand warm water, I did twice at fifteen minutes. wrap large bandaid with gauze, anti bacterial ointment, a couple drops od water on the gauze pad part. wrap med tape around so stays on where knuckle is, a day or two kept on and moistened if needed, dab hand into dish water and I found pressure within 2 days disipated near completely. your finger will be like it gets from soaking, but no pain from pressure beneath the nail. I was able to sew within minimal amount of time.
Wonderful letter press video. thank you. printing process' are very interesting always learning.
reply
brit
The people who originally made the punches would not have traditionally been Goldsmith's as this documentary stated. They would have originally been in the gold business but their actual craft would have been a Die Sinker/ Engraver. A gold Smith would have been used for the casting of the punches after the first punch was manufactured.
But all in all this is quite a good documentary and highlights the fantastic skills of Medieval Europe for making the foundations of the modern world Albrecht Durer was one of the world's most renowned Engravers at this particular time of the Gutterberg Printing Press so would have possibly been the very Engraver who made some of the Type setting letters!
reply
The people who originally made the punches would not have traditionally been Goldsmith's as this documentary stated. They would have originally been in the gold business but their actual craft would have been a Die Sinker/ Engraver. A gold Smith would have been used for the casting of the punches after the first punch was manufactured.
But all in all this is quite a good documentary and highlights the fantastic skills of Medieval Europe for making the foundations of the modern world Albrecht Durer was one of the world's most renowned Engravers at this particular time of the Gutterberg Printing Press so would have possibly been the very Engraver who made some of the Type setting letters!
reply
Kim
Great Video Stephen. Having been a Printer ( Lithographic or Offset ) but as an Apprentice, we all had to learn the Letterpress process.
Known as 'The Bash & Bonk brigade! '
And the Lithographic trade was known as 'The Bucket n Sponge mob! '
This was a Jest between both trades in the Factory, I worked in. I have No Idea if it was universal?
But I loved my Trade until it was destroyed in Uk and also Australia by the Anti Christ called Murdoch. With a little help from Someone called Thatcher!
But I ended up in Australia happy and not a Printer!
Thanks for the Memories Brother!
Cheers kim in Oz.
reply
Great Video Stephen. Having been a Printer ( Lithographic or Offset ) but as an Apprentice, we all had to learn the Letterpress process.
Known as 'The Bash & Bonk brigade! '
And the Lithographic trade was known as 'The Bucket n Sponge mob! '
This was a Jest between both trades in the Factory, I worked in. I have No Idea if it was universal?
But I loved my Trade until it was destroyed in Uk and also Australia by the Anti Christ called Murdoch. With a little help from Someone called Thatcher!
But I ended up in Australia happy and not a Printer!
Thanks for the Memories Brother!
Cheers kim in Oz.
reply
John
A very interesting point that you have given me, Thank you Stephen. In 1965 I along with the rest of 32 medium Regiment RA moved over to Hildesheim in Germany. I got a married quarter just off to the right at the top of Gutenberg Strasse. In 1968 I was posted out to the Far East. When I returned to Germany in 1969 I found that the road name had been changed to Johannes Strasse. I wondered why and it has now struck me due to your video with Gutenberg's Christian name being Johannes. I gave up the idea that they had honored me because I use to live at the bottom of the strasse. Ha Ha.
reply
A very interesting point that you have given me, Thank you Stephen. In 1965 I along with the rest of 32 medium Regiment RA moved over to Hildesheim in Germany. I got a married quarter just off to the right at the top of Gutenberg Strasse. In 1968 I was posted out to the Far East. When I returned to Germany in 1969 I found that the road name had been changed to Johannes Strasse. I wondered why and it has now struck me due to your video with Gutenberg's Christian name being Johannes. I gave up the idea that they had honored me because I use to live at the bottom of the strasse. Ha Ha.
reply
Robert
12/26/2021
Having worked in the printing industry (bindery and finishing) this story is extra special to me. Every dollar I earned for more than 30 years would not exist but for this story.
Today we have computers with word processors that correct our spelling and soft ware that sets up the bindery process, all done by hand back then, but still Gutenberg's work made it all possible. Because of the ability to mass produce books, we have the information to tell his story
Outstanding documentary. Many Thanks. ;-)
reply
12/26/2021
Having worked in the printing industry (bindery and finishing) this story is extra special to me. Every dollar I earned for more than 30 years would not exist but for this story.
Today we have computers with word processors that correct our spelling and soft ware that sets up the bindery process, all done by hand back then, but still Gutenberg's work made it all possible. Because of the ability to mass produce books, we have the information to tell his story
Outstanding documentary. Many Thanks. ;-)
reply
Evolutionism
Chinese invented printing, both woodblock and movable types. Check out the Four Great Inventions of China paper, gunpowder, printing and compass. They cools print books and Buddhism texts in the Song Dynasty centuries before Gutenberg. I think the Mongols who invaded and conquered China during the Yuan Dynasty brought the inventions, including gunpowder, printing and compass to Europe. Gutenberg just better d the technology but Chinese could print paper money and paper books during the Tang and Song Dynasties.
reply
Chinese invented printing, both woodblock and movable types. Check out the Four Great Inventions of China paper, gunpowder, printing and compass. They cools print books and Buddhism texts in the Song Dynasty centuries before Gutenberg. I think the Mongols who invaded and conquered China during the Yuan Dynasty brought the inventions, including gunpowder, printing and compass to Europe. Gutenberg just better d the technology but Chinese could print paper money and paper books during the Tang and Song Dynasties.
reply
SFC
These guys were so excited when they got the printed sheet done. Can you imagine how the original printers felt? I mean our mentality today is much different as we have seen far more advanced things. That being said, they still got pretty excited. I bet someone who was seeing something like this for the first time, was just over the moon with the results. Great video!
reply
These guys were so excited when they got the printed sheet done. Can you imagine how the original printers felt? I mean our mentality today is much different as we have seen far more advanced things. That being said, they still got pretty excited. I bet someone who was seeing something like this for the first time, was just over the moon with the results. Great video!
reply
Chloe
Crazy fact: Some Korean dude named,
Choe Yun-ui used metal type press to print books and he did it 150 years before Gutenberg was even born.
Crazy huh?
Movable type was an 11th-century Chinese invention, refined in Korea in 1230, before meeting conditions in Europe that would allow it to flourishin Europe, in Gutenbergs time.
The Lost Gutenberg
reply
Crazy fact: Some Korean dude named,
Choe Yun-ui used metal type press to print books and he did it 150 years before Gutenberg was even born.
Crazy huh?
Movable type was an 11th-century Chinese invention, refined in Korea in 1230, before meeting conditions in Europe that would allow it to flourishin Europe, in Gutenbergs time.
The Lost Gutenberg
reply
George
From 1959-65 I served an apprenticeship as a compositor. I spent the next 15 years setting metal type until the advent of filmsetting. Watching this documentary made me feel very proud to have been part of this great craft. Thank you Mr Gutenberg and thank you Stephen Fry for a wonderfully informative programme.
reply
From 1959-65 I served an apprenticeship as a compositor. I spent the next 15 years setting metal type until the advent of filmsetting. Watching this documentary made me feel very proud to have been part of this great craft. Thank you Mr Gutenberg and thank you Stephen Fry for a wonderfully informative programme.
reply
kqj52
gutenberg without paper is like the electric car without tarseal just count the number inventions that have to be anonymised or marginalized cuneiform is the first movable type according to mass deforestation but most inventors are like this the f is also an s because extortion is under way
reply
gutenberg without paper is like the electric car without tarseal just count the number inventions that have to be anonymised or marginalized cuneiform is the first movable type according to mass deforestation but most inventors are like this the f is also an s because extortion is under way
reply
mooncat
ive got one of those childrens john bull printing press, smaller than the one here, but artwork on the packaging is the same, bought it from a charity shop/thrift store about 5 yrs ago, ink pad doesnt work, its disintergrated too much. im far too young to have owned this as a kid.
reply
ive got one of those childrens john bull printing press, smaller than the one here, but artwork on the packaging is the same, bought it from a charity shop/thrift store about 5 yrs ago, ink pad doesnt work, its disintergrated too much. im far too young to have owned this as a kid.
reply
David
Actually movable type was invented in China and then perfected in Korea in the 11th century. This is how fake news began. Gutenberg reinvented the wheel: ( But we slander and defame the Chinese and Asia by ignoring their conquest. Stop repeating lies my Teacher told me lol
reply
Actually movable type was invented in China and then perfected in Korea in the 11th century. This is how fake news began. Gutenberg reinvented the wheel: ( But we slander and defame the Chinese and Asia by ignoring their conquest. Stop repeating lies my Teacher told me lol
reply
Jim
There is something calming about Stephen Fry. I saw a video of him touring the USA in an English London Cab. First time I ever head of or saw the man. I think he is a comedian or something but seems to like documentaries.
reply
There is something calming about Stephen Fry. I saw a video of him touring the USA in an English London Cab. First time I ever head of or saw the man. I think he is a comedian or something but seems to like documentaries.
reply
Pulsar
I cry FOUL! NO MENTION of CHINESE PRINTMAKING (where woodblock printing had been done as early as the 200s CE)? Or THE MIDDLE EAST, which used paper for hand written BOOKS and documents as early as the 8th century?
reply
I cry FOUL! NO MENTION of CHINESE PRINTMAKING (where woodblock printing had been done as early as the 200s CE)? Or THE MIDDLE EAST, which used paper for hand written BOOKS and documents as early as the 8th century?
reply
OldManMontgomery
The intricacy of combining all the various crafts was fascinating. When the first page was removed from the press and found 'proper', I was elated. And I'm just watching this at the end of 2021. Wow!
reply
The intricacy of combining all the various crafts was fascinating. When the first page was removed from the press and found 'proper', I was elated. And I'm just watching this at the end of 2021. Wow!
reply
Ricky
I think I have watch this episode two or three times now and still really enjoy it! And if I was Gutenberg I would have destroyed the machine before giving it to the hands of somebody else that was so greedy!
reply
I think I have watch this episode two or three times now and still really enjoy it! And if I was Gutenberg I would have destroyed the machine before giving it to the hands of somebody else that was so greedy!
reply
Conan
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 (9901051.
reply
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 (9901051.
reply
Young
The 1st movable metal type printing press was made is Korea in 1234 by Chwe Yoon Eyee during the Goryeo Dynasty -216 years ahead of Gutenberg in 1450. An example of a book is in the Louvre museum.
reply
The 1st movable metal type printing press was made is Korea in 1234 by Chwe Yoon Eyee during the Goryeo Dynasty -216 years ahead of Gutenberg in 1450. An example of a book is in the Louvre museum.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
