Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press

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Synopsis

Stephen Fry examines the story behind the first media entrepreneur, printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg, to find out why he did it and how, a story which involves both historical enquiry and hands-on craft and technology. Fry travels across Europe to find out how Gutenberg kept his development work secret, about the role of avaricious investors and unscrupulous competitors and why Gutenberg's approach started a cultural revolution. He then sets about building a copy of Gutenberg's press.

Credits

Presenter

Stephen Fry

Broadcasts

1. Mon 14 Apr 2008
   21:00
   BBC Four
2. Tue 15 Apr 2008
   01:15
   BBC Four
3. Tue 15 Apr 2008
   02:45
   BBC Four
4. Wed 16 Apr 2008
   23:50
   BBC Four
5. Sun 20 Apr 2008
   20:00
   BBC Four
6. Mon 21 Apr 2008
   01:40
   BBC Four
7. Fri 25 Apr 2008
   21:00
   BBC Two
8. Mon 12 May 2008
   22:00
   BBC Four
9. Tue 13 May 2008
   01:30
   BBC Four
10. Sat 20 Sep 2008
    19:15
    BBC Two (Wales, Wales (Analogue) only)
11. Sat 20 Sep 2008
    19:30
    BBC Two (except Wales, Wales (Analogue))
12. Mon 29 Dec 2008
    20:30
    BBC Four
13. Wed 11 Feb 2009
    22:00
    BBC Four
14. Thu 12 Feb 2009
    02:00
    BBC Four