The way we use words was revolutionized by Johannes Gutenberg. Replication and distribution of ideas took on a whole new meaning. But the process actually wasn't Gutenberg's idea. It was the Chinese who first had the idea of duplicating a pattern with a press, but limited its use to copying silks and not books.
Interestingly, Gutenberg died a financial failure, the object of numerous lawsuits for the rights to use the press. But he was successful by all counts in changing the world. His first printed work, the Bible, is the number one bestseller of 2010 (and every year).
~ Game Changers in Presentation History
Johannes Gutenberg, movable type printing press - 1394-1468
