Engineering & mechanics
Gutenberg's
printing press
An examination of the screw press and movable type at the origin of mass production.
The mechanical innovation
Gutenberg's printing press
A true mechanical revolution, Gutenberg's press combined ingenuity and simplicity
to produce books in large quantities for the first time in European history.
The press
Inspired by a wine press, Gutenberg's press applied uniform pressure from inked type onto paper, ensuring a clean and consistent print every time.
Movable type
Cast in molten lead and moulded, these movable letters could be assembled and reused indefinitely to compose different texts, making printing fast and cost-effective.
The ink balls
These leather pads stuffed with horsehair were used to evenly apply a thick linseed oil-based ink to the type, ensuring a clean and uniform impression.
The paper
Handcrafted from crushed and pressed linen rags, this thick and durable paper was ideal for absorbing ink and allowing texts to survive across the centuries.
« Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. »
The Bible, Psalm 119:105Machine assembly
The press diagram
Each component of the press played a precise and essential role.
Discover the assembly of the machine that changed the world.
« The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. »
The Bible, Isaiah 40:8Events
Where to see the press?
A group of Christians is committed to visiting various locations to present the press.
29 – 30 August 2026
Saint-Pierre-de-Clages — Switzerland
The Book Festival
March 2027
Gruyères — Switzerland
Exhibition at the Galerie du Calvaire
March 2027
Geneva — Switzerland
International Book Fair
The Bible is the wonderful book that has convinced multitudes of the Truth, across the generations.