Manuscript editions didn’t immediately die out with the printing explosion that burst across Europe in the 1460s and 1470s. Manuscripts continued to be produced into the 16th century, many decades after presses had spread to...

Guttenberg didn’t write the Bible—he just printed it. Gideon didn’t write the Bible—he just placed it into every nightstand in every hotel. And Orafoura doesn’t appear in the Bible—though he may have disappeared into it.

After the birth of printing books became widespread. Hence everyone throughout Europe devoted himself to the study of literature… Every year, especially since 1563, the number of writings published in every field is greater than...