title: Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Press (Pivotal Moments in History)
author:  Diana Childress 
description: <b>Diana Childress</b> lives in New York City. She was born in Mexico and grew up in Texas. She has a Ph.D. in Medieval English literature and has taught college-level classes and has been a school librarian. She is also the author <i>The War of 1812</i> (Chronicle of America's Wars), <i>George H.W. Bush</i> (Presidential Leaders), and <i>Marco Polo's Journey to China</i> for the Pivotal Moments in History series.
zlib_text: ## Chapter
  
  
  Fourteen-fifty was a notable year for not only Europe, but for world history.
  Gutenberg’s printing press is considered to be one of the most important
  inventions ever. If it weren’t for that, you wouldn’t have these books sitting
  on your desks.” Mrs. Gregory paused. “Now, make sure to write all of this
  down, folks—there will be a quiz on it next week.” She swiped her chalk-dusted
  hand across the black pants on her slim upper thigh and continued scrawling
  important dates about historical European events across the chalkboard.
  
  
  I cast a sideways glance at Olivia, who shook her head and rolled her eyes. We
  were both thinking the same thing. Mrs. Gregory always threatened us with
  quizzes, but inside that tall, superthin body was a woman with a heart of
  melted butter. She went easier on us than most of our other teachers did,
  letting us pair up to study before tests and such.
  
  
  Still, I took notes. Couldn’t take a chance on looking like a slacker right
  now, not with everything