Gutenberg Bible, the book that *changed the world*, on display in Melbourne (ABC)

View Comments ABC The Gutenberg Bible was the first book printed using mechanical moveable type.

A 15th-century Bible that changed the way books were read and disseminated is on display in Melbourne.

The Gutenberg Bible was the first book printed using mechanical moveable type.

The book is recognised as sparking a book printing revolution in western civilisation, that allowed information and ideas to be easily shared.

The edition on display in Melbourne is one of just nine remaining complete copies and is on show as part of Rare Book Week at the University of Melbourne.

University librarian Philip Kent said the book changed the world.

"It really democratised knowledge and made it more accessible to the general public and obviously to scholars as well," he said.

"As books became more and more accessible, more people were able to think for themselves."

The Bible is on loan from the John Rylands Library at Manchester University.

Julianne Simpson, manager of rare books and maps at Manchester, oversaw the transfer of the book to Melbourne.

"It was a long flight so we had to leave it in the crate for a day just to let it acclimatise before it could be transferred into the display case," she said.

"We bought a pillow with it just for its comfort."

Ms Simpson said very little is known about the book's German creator Johannes Gutenberg.

"Most people in the 15th century didn't leave much documentation behind," she said.

"What we do know about him we have because he got into a few legal disputes, so there's a paper trail over the various disputes about money.

"As he worked on his invention he took out loans and couldn't pay the money back and so he ended up not making any money out of his invention.

"It was his financial backer who took over after his Bible was completed, took all the equipment. His son-in-law who'd been working for Gutenberg took over the business and became very successful."

The Gutenberg Bible returns to England on Monday.

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