Development of movable metal type in Europe (c. 1436–1500)

1. Gutenberg’s Strasbourg workshop experiments begin

   Jan 1, 1436Labels: Johannes Gutenberg, Strasbourg workshop

   • Visible Language
   • Britannica

2. Strasbourg lawsuit records hint at presswork

   Jan 1, 1439Labels: Strasbourg lawsuit, Heirs testimony

   • Visible Language
   • Wikipedia

3. Gutenberg returns to Mainz and secures financing

   Jan 1, 1448Labels: Mainz, Gutenberg loan

   • Wikipedia
   • Britannica

4. Gutenberg and Johann Fust launch a funded venture

   Jan 1, 1450Labels: Johann Fust, Gutenberg partnership

   • GutenbergDigital
   • Britannica

5. 31-line Indulgence shows early mass printing

   Oct 22, 1454Labels: 31-line Indulgence, Erfurt issuance

   • Princeton
   • Copenhagen Univ

6. Gutenberg Bible production reaches market visibility

   Mar 1, 1455Labels: Gutenberg Bible, Frankfurt fair

   • Wikipedia
   • Britannica

7. Fust–Gutenberg lawsuit reshapes control of the press

   Nov 6, 1455Labels: Fust Gutenberg, Helmasperger Notarial

   • GutenbergDigital
   • Britannica

8. Rubricator date provides a completion anchor

   Aug 15, 1456Labels: Rubricator note, Gutenberg Bible

   • Wikipedia

9. Mainz Psalter demonstrates advanced type and color printing

   Aug 14, 1457Labels: Mainz Psalter, Peter Schoeffer

   • Princeton
   • Wikipedia

10. Catholicon is printed with a 1460 colophon date

    Jan 1, 1460Labels: Catholicon, 1460 colophon

    • Bridwell
    • Gutenberg Ges

11. Bamberg printing shows technology moving beyond Mainz

    Feb 14, 1461Labels: Albrecht Pfister, Bamberg printshop

    • Bamberg Lib

12. End-of-century outcome: movable type becomes a European industry

    Jan 1, 1500Labels: Incunable era, European presses

    • Wikipedia
    • Britannica