type-founding

The idea of Johann Gutenberg's innovation originated from gold smithery. Goldsmiths engraved the picture (they wanted to see in the cast metal block on the point of their steel stamp ) - in reverse form - and later they hit the stamp and the picture appeared on the led or copper block. Now they had a mould and the positive reliefs were cast into this. This was the basis of letter cutting. Letter engravers made a series of letters in all sizes. Type-founding was a more difficult thing. Gutenberg invented a type-founding instrument, with the help of which one could make 5 or 6 letters per minute. This instrument was the real innovation, the other parts - letters, printing-press, paint - were already in use for different purposes. Cutting and founding letters was a respected and rare profession. In Hungary only Raphael Hoffhalter, the most skilful pressman of the 16th century, was competent in this. He learnt casting letters in Zurich and Vienna, and he was a famous wood and copper cutter as well.

ÁP-SzJú