Waubonsee Community College

The machine that made us, directed by Patrick McGrady ; produced by Patrick McGrady and Wavelength Films

eng

videorecording

For Adult; College; High School audiences

The machine that made us

electronic resource

864629179

directed by Patrick McGrady ; produced by Patrick McGrady and Wavelength Films

57

In an age of sophisticated technology, this film helps us appreciate the enormous contribution to culture, politics, industry and even human psychology of Johann Gutenberg's 15th century achievement - the printing press. Stephen Fry, writer and actor, energetically explores the story of the machine, and of the man who created it. To really understand the man and his machine Stephen gathers a team of craftsmen to help him build a copy of Gutenberg's printing press and sets himself the task of learning how to make the paper and type to print as Gutenberg once did. It is through these practical trials and tests that Stephen demonstrates the brilliance of Gutenberg's invention and brings the man and his machine to life. The film also investigates why printing mattered so much to Gutenberg and his contemporaries. It explores the political and religious turmoil which shaped Gutenberg's world, and was affected by this invention

general