Fact of the Day: 19/01/2023

We now take for granted machines like the printing press, but do you really know how impactful this creation has been? The printing press started out in China around 860 A.D. and later made its way to Europe around the 15th century. According to History.com, “[it] is a device that allows for the mass production of uniform printed matter, mainly text in the form of books, pamphlets and newspapers” (par. 1). That may seem underwhelming, but imagine having to handwrite a book over and over again every time someone wanted a copy. The printing press started out with wooden blocks that were engraved with lettering, and was later advanced to a clay version with moveable letters that could be used over and over. Finally, the wood block was replaced with metal, and this specific type of press included the moveable letters. Gutenberg (the creator of the metal printing press) even devised a special type of ink that would stick to the metal press. So, if you really think about it, the printing press did wonders for society. I mean, think about what life would be like without this convenient creation and what it allowed us to create over time. 

Reference(s): https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/printing-press 

Fact Author: Bailey W.

Fact Editor: Ace

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