1. Discussion
By: Patrick Najmola

2. Summary
Religion fueled the reason for the growth of copying and printing
Japanese Empress Shotogu- requested 1 million copies of a prayer to be printed
Oldest printed book- Chinese Prayer book
Asian History of Printing
Wang Jie (868)- first known printer
Wang Zhen (approx. 1350)- first known to cut letter into wood to use as print
Korean King TaeJong (1403)- first known to cut letters into metal to use as print

3. Summary (cont.) European History of Printing
Reinssance time- need for printing ideas
Started printing process with Maps
A goldsmith named JOHANNES GUTENBURG (1440) carved 26 letters backwards into copper to create the first mobile printing press
Easier to use than more involved Asian lettering
First book printed (approx. 1455) the BIBLE
By the end of the 15th century, Europe surpassed Asia for most advanced religion due to the ability to mass print

4. Summary (cont.) Scribes began to lose job security
artists, mathematicians, scientists began to write ideas down on paper
Art begins to be printed to encourage and share these ideas
Leonardo DaVinci
Michelangelo
Art also starts to become mass produced due to woodcuts (created by Durer)
Artists carve art into wood and it is then transferred/printed onto paper
Roman Holy Emperor Maximillian sold these prints

5. Religion Fueled need for Printing
Multiple religions resulted in desire to print in order to spread the word
Buddhist prayers
The Christian Bible- most sold book of all time, and most stolen book of all time
Sacred scrolls of Islam

6. Johannes Gutenberg The Father of Printing
But did not invented printing
In Iraq, for instance, archaeologists have unearthed 8,500-year-old stone seals with which the ancient Mesopotamians made marks on clay jars and boxes.
Without the help of Johann Fust, Gutenberg would of never completed his works
Also resulting in the fall due to unpaid debts
Johannes Gutenberg perfected the art of Printing

8. Questions Does Paper and printing still effect the spread of religion?
Do you think there are any other factors rather than religion that resulted in the increase of printing?
Is the Gutenberg Bible the most influential book in the literacy movement?