Printing press of Jodocus Badius, 16th century. Historical illustration of the printing press in Paris of Jodocus Badius Ascensius (1426-1535). The pr

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Printing press of Jodocus Badius, 16th century. Historical illustration of the printing press in Paris of Jodocus Badius Ascensius (1426-1535). The printing press (centre) is operated by turning a screw-threaded column, which presses the horizontal, inked plate down onto the paper. The sheets of paper are then hung out to allow the ink to dry before compiling them. On the head of the press is the establishment's name: Prelum Ascensianum. Either side of this are four hand tools: scissors, a brush, a pair of dividers, and a Y-shaped tool. Though previously known in China, European printing was independently invented by Johann Gutenberg in about 1450. The mass-production of cheap text greatly advanced the spread of knowledge. This illustration was published in 1526.

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Size: 2274px × 3296px
Photo credit: © GEORGE BERNARD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, 1500s, 16th, artwork, ascensianum, ascensius, badius, brush, century, dividers, european, france, french, hand, historical, history, industry, jodocus, men, paris, parisian, prelum, press, printer, printers, printing, scissors, technological, technology, tools, workers