The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenbeg but there were many other things that had to be in place before printing was possible. This little story briefly shows some of them as well as the processes that went into those first printed pages. Gutenberg changed the way and the speed with which books were produced in Europe. One of the books he printed was the Bible making about 180 copies. About 47 have survived but only 21 are complete....

The story of the illustrated book from the earliest printed books to the present day, told through the collections of the V&A's National Art Library. Throughout history, images have been used to reflect the meaning of words and to enhance our understanding of texts. With the invention of mechanized printing in Germany in the 15th century, illustrated books were no longer the preserve of the elite and became a source of knowledge, instruction and pleasure...