Type Monument, Mainz

Situated outside the Gutenberg Museum, the Type Monument is a complex of nine sandstone cubes representing print types. Gutenberg's ground-breaking invention was a press with movable types that allowed text to be put together on the printing block and create a whole page of text at one time. The types were made from small cast lead bars with raised and inverted letters on the end.

The nine cubes feature decorative letters similar to those used in the Gutenberg Bible. On the side facing the cathedral, the cubes spell out the name "Gutenberg." On the opposite side of the sandstones visitors can see, in the chronological order, the development of script – from the Mesopotamian to the modern era.

The monument, offering visitors a wonderful look at the art and science of scripture, was designed by local stonemasons and presented to Mainz as a gift.