Johann Gutenberg

"Well, Mario, after spending the last 30 years working day and night on this printing press, I’ve got a stack of reading to catch up on!"

- Johann Gutenberg

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg, known in-game as simply Johann Gutenberg, was a German inventor whose innovations contributed significantly to the widespread use of the printing press. As the son of a wealthy merchant, he had the opportunity to experiment until the printer was able to print simple poems in 1450. After a court case against Johann Fust resulting in his unfortunate loss, he was close to penniless, though a later title of recognition granted him a stipend until his death in 1468. In Mario's Time Machine, Mario meets Gutenberg in 1455 after traveling back in time to Mainz to return a Metal Type needed for his printing press.

Mario's Time Machine
In Mainz circa 1455, Johann Gutenberg is in his workshop, fussing over his strict schedule for completing the printing machine. When Mario time travels to Mainz, he does not know that Gutenberg is the person who needs the Metal Type; as a result, if Mario attempts to talk to him, Gutenberg tells him to leave him alone, as he is too focused on the printing press. Gutenberg's Metal Type can only be returned to him after talking to the other inhabitants of Mainz, all of whom know about Gutenberg's history and plans, and absolutely confirming that the Metal Type belongs to him. Once this is done, Mario can return to his workshop and bring back his Metal Type. Gutenberg is overjoyed to have it, and says that with this final piece, his masterpiece is now complete. Mario then asks him what he is going to do next, and Gutenberg replies that he needs to catch up on his reading list, as he has not read anything for the past thirty years.