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Jul 27, 2021

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Not exactly, no. Gutenberg went into to massive debt over several years developing his printing press. It took him a lot longer to develop a viable machine than he had estimated.

He was being hounded by several creditors and had to make back some money quick or risk forfeiture and maybe debtors prison or even death.

That’s why he chose the Bible. Bibles were in high demand and he knew he would most likely be able to sell a whole printing.

He did. His first printing was a success and brought in requests for future printings. The public was enthralled.

It didn’t matter though. As I recall, his apparatus was seized by his creditors and they made all subsequent profits. Gutenberg died a pauper.

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