German printing press inventors, Johannes Gutenberg (right) Johann Fust (left) and Peter Schoeffer (centre), coloured artwork. The Chinese had developed a process of printing movable type in 1401, with the first printed book in 1403 from Korea. Gutenberg (c.14001468) is credited with the invention of the printing press, and the first book in 1456, commonly known as the Gutenberg Bible. Fust was the financial backer for Gutenbergs printing press and Schoeffer, an assistant, was to improve on Gutenbergs design in later years. Artwork taken from History of wonderful inventions, London, 1849.