Printing Press Facts Homeschool Kids Will Love
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The invention of the printing press was a vital event in history. Here are fun printing press facts kids will love.
Ask any homeschool mom what tools she just cannot live without, and you’re bound to get a list that includes a printer.
Why?
Because the ability to easily reproduce information–writing, drawings, diagrams–is amazing.
As a homeschool mom myself, I can’t imagine life without printed books or a printer.
Prior to the invention of the printing press, the dissemination of news, ideas, and foundational documents–like the Bible–was very difficult. Information was either shared orally, or scribes painstakingly copied the information onto sheepskin or handmade paper. The Bible was a rare and expensive document. The printing press allowed priests and seminary teachers to read the Bible for themselves. The ability to share information freely on pamphlets and in books led to important movements like the Protestant Reformation and the American Revolution.
The invention of the printing press changed everything.
Printing Press Facts Kids Will Love
History can be a lot of fun. Your kids will love these fun printing press facts:
- Before the invention of the printing press, libraries were rare in Europe. Two of the largest were at Canterbury Abbey and Bury Abbey. Each had around 2,000 books. The New York Public Library today has 55 million books.
- Books used to be hand-written by special workers called scribes. It could take a scribe over a year to write a book. One Bible commentary took the equivalent of ten years to copy!
- Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press that produced the Gutenberg Bible, the world’s first mass produced major work.
- Before Gutenberg’s invention, there were other attempts to reproduce writing. The Chinese tried using stamps in the 900s.
- In 1234, Koreans used a moveable metal type system to reprint a book, but their alphabet was really hard to reproduce. The English alphabet has just 26 letters, but Classical Chinese–used by the Koreans in 1234–had over 50,000 letters.
- The Gutenberg Bible was printed in 1455.
- In the following 45 years, over 10 million copies of more than 40,000 different books were printed in Europe.
- Because of the printing press, ordinary people were able to read God’s Word. The Bible was quickly translated into many languages, and today people all over the world can read Scripture in a way they understand.
Fun Printing Press Resources
The invention of the printing press is one of the world’s most important technological advances! Take a look at a few fun ways your kids can learn about the invention of the printing press:
- What Was the Gutenberg Bible? – This fun illustrated chapter book about Johann Gutenberg, the history of the Bible, and the invention of the printing press is perfect for your 8-11 year olds.
- What Was the Gutenberg Bible? Lapbook – You’ll want to grab this free lapbook so your kids can keep track of everything they learn about the Gutenberg Bible and the printing press!
- Johann Gutenberg and the Printing Press Craft – Your kids will love making their own printing press and its inventor out of toilet paper rolls. Plus, it’s a super cute craft.
The invention of the printing press changed the history of the world. Your kids can learn all about it, complete with interesting facts and stories. That’s the kind of thing 8-11 year olds love!
Danika Cooley’s Who What Why Christian history series is perfect for your 8-11 year olds. Your children will better understand the history of the Christian faith, the people who loved Jesus, and what the Bible says about really important issues! Danika is an award-winning children’s author and Bible curriculum developer. Her popular Bible Road Trip™ is used by tens of thousands of families.
Learn more about the Who What Why series and grab your free history lapbooks here.
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- You CAN Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible
- The Bible Is for Kids: Overcome Your Concerns Today
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