Was Gutenberg's printing press truly original?

Answered in Johannes Gutenberg's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

Some may claim the principle of impressing characters onto a surface existed. Indeed, stamping and block printing were known. However, the true innovation lies in the *system* I developed. The letter must be cast, not carved, ensuring uniformity and durability. The combination of precisely cast movable type, a reliable ink, and an efficient press mechanism was my contribution. Each element was refined through tireless experimentation. My focus was on creating a practical, repeatable, and efficient method for producing texts of high quality, not simply on a singular new device.

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