Here We Stand The Accidental Reformer: Hans Gooseflesh (c. 1400–1468)
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Oct 18, 2024 Discover the fascinating story of Hans Gooseflesh, an unlikely figure in the Reformation. His youth was shaped by the fears of the Black Death, leading to a surge in religious commerce. After losing his family's business, he launched an innovative venture in mass-producing pilgrim badges. Using his metalworking skills, he invented a reusable type system that would revolutionize printing. This accidental reformer played a crucial role in the spread of ideas that fueled the Protestant movement.
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Failed Ox-Eye Startup Sparks Change
- Hans Gooseflesch grew up watching the aftermath of the Black Death and his family's crafts in coin-making.
- He attempted an ox-eye souvenir startup for the 1439 Aachen pilgrimage that failed financially but sparked innovation.
Movable Type Born From Coin Craft
- Hans repurposed coin-making skills to design reusable metal character forms for printing.
- This movable-type concept allowed rapid, accurate, and reusable composition for printed text.
Books Replaced Oral Culture After Plague
- Demand for books surged after the plague as knowledge moved from oral to written transmission.
- Movable type matched that demand by enabling faster, standardized production and wider distribution.
