Printing Press (Movable Type)

A machine for mass-producing texts using movable metal type, a screw press, and oil-based ink. A pivotal invention marking the end of the Middle Ages.

Core metadata

ID: printing_press_movable_type
Era: Medieval
First known date: 1450 (decade)
Region: Mainz, Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany)
Review status: source_checked
Maturity: N/A

Prerequisites

Dependents

Standardized Typefounding (standardized_typefounding)

Fields

None.

Node sources

Johannes Gutenberg (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2026, textbook) • Supports: node
Locator: Britannica describes Gutenberg experimenting with printing by about 1438 and reaching refinement by 1450 in Mainz, combining movable type, oil-based ink, and press technology.

Prerequisite edge evidence

Edge/source evidence summary:

Prerequisite edges: 6
Average edge confidence: 68%
Prerequisite sources: 3
expert_inference: 6

Prerequisite	Type	Confidence	Evidence level	Note	Sources
Paper Making (paper_making)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Paper Making provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	Papermaking (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2026, textbook) • Supports: edge
Advanced Metallurgy (Medieval) (advanced_metallurgy_medieval)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Advanced Metallurgy (Medieval) provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	No sources recorded.
Classical Monumental Construction (construction)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Construction provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	Overview: Greek Temples (Reed College Greek and Latin Archaeological Museum, 2026, museum) • Supports: edge
Oil-Based Inks (oil_based_inks)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Oil-Based Inks provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	No sources recorded.
Book Binding (Codex Production) (book_binding_codex_production)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Book Binding (Codex Production) provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	No sources recorded.
Guilds (guilds)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Guilds provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	Guild (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2026, generic_overview) • Supports: edge

This page is generated from canonical era JSON and is indexable by URL.