The Lost PowerPoint Slides (Gutenberg Edition)

Johannes Gutenberg presents “Ray of Light” (circa, 1439) –> slide 1

• came to me one day while I was making mirrors for pilgrims to Aachen
• what if it was possible to produce books faster
• like Saul on road to Damascus
• might have been because of the mercury fumes.

Gutenberg presents “seed money” (circa, 1448) –> slide 6

• working model requires funding
• asking you, my generous brother-in-law, for loan
• also need a place to crash here in Mainz.

Gutenberg presents “proof of concept” (circa 1450) –> slide 12

Therefore, my new printing press requires:

• movable type
• process for making such type in quantity
• oil-based ink
• press similar to the screw olive and wine presses
• more money to start production
• design geeks to create typefaces.

Gutenberg proposes the 42-line Bible (circa, 1452) –> slide 2

• Bibles are popular
• Bibles are expensive
• If we mass produce the text and have them illuminated separately, we’ll make a killing.

Wealthy moneylender Johann Fust presents case to Archbishop’s court (circa, 1455) –> slide 3

• Gutenberg has embezzled funds
• owes me 2000 guilders
• I should get printing press.

Gutenberg presents “I invented mass communication and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” (circa, 1465) –> slide 5

• very nice that Archbishop Adolf von Nassau recognized my contribution by naming me Hofmann (gentleman of the court)
• stipend also means I won’t starve to death
• 2000 liters of tax-free wine also takes away some of the sting.

Johannes Gutenberg began production of his 42-line Bible on February 23, 1455.