<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Engraver, inventor, and printer </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Known for </Th> <Td> The invention of the movable - type printing press </Td> </Tr> <P> Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (/ joʊˈhɑːnɪs ˈɡuːtənˌbɜːrɡ, - ˈhænɪs - / yoh - HA (H) N - iss GOO - tən - burg; c. 1400--February 3, 1468) was a German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to Europe with the printing press . His introduction of mechanical movable type printing to Europe started the Printing Revolution and is regarded as a milestone of the second millennium, ushering in the modern period of human history . It played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment, and the scientific revolution and laid the material basis for the modern knowledge - based economy and the spread of learning to the masses . </P> <P> Gutenberg in 1439 was the first European to use movable type . Among his many contributions to printing are: the invention of a process for mass - producing movable type; the use of oil - based ink for printing books; adjustable molds; mechanical movable type; and the use of a wooden printing press similar to the agricultural screw presses of the period . His truly epochal invention was the combination of these elements into a practical system that allowed the mass production of printed books and was economically viable for printers and readers alike . Gutenberg's method for making type is traditionally considered to have included a type metal alloy and a hand mould for casting type . The alloy was a mixture of lead, tin, and antimony that melted at a relatively low temperature for faster and more economical casting, cast well, and created a durable type . </P>

Who created the printing press in the renaissance