Hier Stehe Ich
How the Reformation reshaped belief—and gave rise to totalitarian control
In 1456, Mainz moneylender Johannes Fust sued Johannes Gutenberg for 2,026 guilders—roughly $800,000 to $1 million today. Fust had advanced funds so Gutenberg could print his Bibles and build new presses. Gutenberg failed to make payments, and Fust seized the presses and the remaining Bibles.
Gutenberg’s press was revolutionary and, at first, commerciall…
