Gutenberg and the Printing Press

This class is designed to accompany

the study of the Renaissance and

Reformation.

 

Objective:


The students experience the impact of the invention of the printing press through three activities, medieval calligraphy, Wood block printing and working a printing press.  Practicing writing with a quill pen enables the student to understand the impact of Gutenberg’s world changing invention. 

Ages: 7th - 12th grade

The following topics are presented:


  1. •The work and life of a medieval monk in a        Scriptorium

  2. •The Illuminated Manuscript

  3. •  The use of wood block printing in Europe

  4. •Gutenberg’s inventions of the printing press movable type

  5. •The amazing debut of Gutenberg’s Bible

  6. •The role of the Indulgence 

Art Activity:


Students are in two groups.  One group begins by becoming monks in a scriptorium.  They are given quills, calligraphy pens and india ink and medieval script to copy.  The other group begins with an explanation of Gutenberg’s shop.  They print an Indulgence, thought to be one of Gutenberg’s first projects that helped finance his bible production, using a woodblock, ink and brayer and press set up with moveable type.  The groups switch so all students experience the activities.

Gutenberg’s print shop, 1455