Here We Stand

The Accidental Reformer: Hans Gooseflesh (c. 1400–1468)

5 snips
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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ANECDOTE

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.
INSIGHT

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.
INSIGHT

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.
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