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Gutenberg was born around 1398 in Mainz, Germany into a wealthy family, connected by marriage to the mayor of the town. His full name was Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zu Gutenberg (Bunson, 1995). Phew! His father, Friele, and his uncle were officials at the Archbishop's mint. Because of these connections, Gutenberg did not have to serve as an apprentice in the mint which meant that when he finished his training in metalworking he was free to leave. It was in this early training of producing coinage that he undoubtedly picked up his understanding of metals and temperating, the use of casting chambers, dies and presses, and the careful and accurate casting and stamping of gold coins. After his father's death in 1428, Gutenberg left Mainz and made a new home for himself in Strasbourg where he would remain for nearly 20 years (Pollard, 1992).