Guttenberg Bible

Question 1

What year was the first book printed with movable metal type?

Answer 1

1455

This marked a significant transition from the middle ages to the modern world.

Question 2

What impact did the printing of the first book have on knowledge?

Answer 2

Knowledge became common property of anyone who knew how to read

Gutenberg’s invention remains one of the most significant in history

It facilitated the spread of knowledge, literacy, and religious ideas

Question 3

In what year was the GB purchased and for how much

Answer 3

1930

1.5 million dollars

by an act of Congress

Question 4

How many volumes were included in the purchase made in 1930?

Answer 4

3 volumes

Question 5

What material was the book printed on that makes it one of only three perfect copies?

Answer 5

Vellum

Question 6

From where was the GB purchased in 1930?

Answer 6

A monastery in Austria

Question 7

How long did it take to create one book using handwriting?

Answer 7

18 months

Question 8

How many copies could the Gutenberg press produce in 18 months?

Answer 8

27,000 copies

VS. 1 hand printed in 18 months

about 1500/month

Question 9

What language was the first book printed in?

Answer 9

Latin

Question 10

How many lines per page did the first book contain?

Answer 10

42 lines/page

Question 11

How often did the pages need to be turned to protect the binding?

Answer 11

Every 6 weeks

Question 12

What did the Gutenberg printing press make possible?

Answer 12

made it possible for the accumulated knowledge of the human race to become the common property of every person who knew how to read—an immense forward step in the emancipation of the human mind.

Question 13

How many perfect copies are left and where are they

Answer 13

3 perfect copies on vellum remain. Here, London, Paris