John Gutenberg, by Franz von Dingelstedt                                 50000
  [Subtitle: First Master Printer, His Acts and Most Remarkable
              Discourses and his Death]
  [Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/0/0/50000 ]
  [Files: 50000-0.txt; 50000-h.htm]

 
Thanks to WebRover, Chris Curnow and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
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Project Gutenberg is thrilled to achieve the milestone of eBook
#50,000.  In honor of Project Gutenberg's founder, Michael S. Hart, a
special title was selected.  "John Gutenberg, First Master Printer,
His Acts, and most remarkable Discourses, and his Death" is now
available at www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50000.

Johannes (or John) Gutenberg is best known for introducing mechanical
movable type printing to Europe.  This brought about a revolution in
printing, which was a key event in shaping today's information and
knowlege-based society. 

Michael Hart invented the electronic book in 1971, launching what
would become his life's major calling.  He named his effort "Project
Gutenberg," to recognize the impact of Johannes Gutenberg and in
anticipation of electronic books helping to transform society by
bringing cost-free literature to all people.  Free literature, and the
freedom of thought and freedom of expression it fosters, is key to
growth of literacy, opportunity and enlightenment.

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