There is some ongoing debate about who first invented the printing press with movable metal type. The Chinese and Koreans were printing some material using movable type by the 11th century but the conditions were not right for the practice to grow and flourish. The German craftsman and inventor Johannes Gutenberg developed a commercially viable method of printing with movable metal type between 1440 and 1452. He must be given due credit for the practical formulation of special alloy metal type, thick adherent oil-based ink, and the use of a screw press to apply even print pressure. Combining these techniques was the real key to successful mass printing and Gutenberg was the first to do that. It is easy to see why Gutenberg’s printing press was considered a history-changing invention since it made books more widely accessible. It might even be called the beginning of an information revolution. It is tempting to view Gutenberg’s engineering accomplishments as simplistic but remember that in 1440 this was cutting edge stuff.
My 1/10 scale wood and metal model started as a 20-plus year old kit. I changed some of the main press components and configuration to improve the quality and more closely match current historic references. I also added details such as the scratch built typesetter’s bench, a work table, and many hand tools. I enjoy celebrating historic, world changing technologies and I think this one fits that bill.
General Views
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Typesetter’s Bench
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Tools of the Trade
On the back of the press: type leveling hammer and block, framed page of metal type, and ink tray with spreader.
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On the side of the press: scissors, bodkin (awl), dust brush, and inking balls. Inking balls were used to transfer a thin uniform film of the thick ink to the printing plates.
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On the bed of the press: the framed pages of type are tightly wedged into a larger sliding box. A folding frame and mask hold the paper sheet to be printed.
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In the press: The blank sheet of paper and page mask are carefully lowered onto the inked page of type. This stack is then cranked into place where pressure is applied by a long handle turning the large press screw.
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On the typesetter’s bench: book to copy, wedge striker “shooting” bar, copy composing stick, trays of metal type, dividers, tweezers, awl, and pliers.
Down In The Shop 
Am a Gutenberg scholar and type/graphic designer over 40 yrs. I too recreate Gutenberg stuff over 30 yrs but digitally. I love your work!! Would you like a an accurate recreation of the Bible cover to use; if so, tell me the size needed for the front, back, and spine so I can send a png file. I would love the have high res images to make a poster for my home office wall. If you look up Goodcity Modern font, it’s the first ever digital version of the B42 bible; this I made in 1992. Keep up the cool projects.
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