Books, as we know them today, were invented gradually over time rather than by a single person. The earliest forms of books were scrolls made from materials like papyrus and animal skins, used by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Sumerians. Around the 1st to 3rd century CE, the Romans invented the codex, which is the earliest form of the modern book—individual sheets folded and bound together, making it easier to read and carry. The major revolution in book invention came in the 15th century with Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, who invented the movable-type printing press. This invention allowed mass production of books with much greater speed and at a lower cost than previous hand-copied manuscripts. Gutenberg’s press and movable type were pivotal in spreading knowledge widely, with his Bible, printed around 1455, being one of the first major books produced this way. Earlier innovations also include Chinese woodblock printing dating back to the 2nd century CE and movable type printing from the 11th century in China, but Gutenberg’s press made printing practical on a large scale in Europe. In summary:
- Early books originated from ancient scrolls (Sumerians, Egyptians).
- Romans invented the codex, an early form of the book.
- Chinese invented early printing methods like woodblock and movable type.
- Johannes Gutenberg invented the European movable-type printing press in the 15th century, transforming book production and dissemination.
This shows the invention of books was a long process with multiple contributors, but Gutenberg’s printing press is often credited as the transformative invention for modern books.
