Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of printing with movable type transformed human life in too many ways to count. Some regarded the printing press as the gift of God; others thought it the work of Satan. It educated, incited violence and war, and forever changed the means of human communication and interaction. This illustrated presentation will examine the birth of the printing press, the economics of this disruptive technology, and some of the most important ways that it changed the course of human history.

This week's speaker - Dr. M. Patrick Graham - is the Margaret A. Pitts Professor Emeritus of Theological Bibliography at the Candler School of Theology (Emory University). He holds degrees from Abilene Christian University (B.A., M.A., M.Div.), Emory University (Ph.D.) and The University of Texas at Austin (MLIS). He is the author of one book - "The Utilization of 1 and 2 Chronicles in the Reconstruction of Israelite History in the Nineteenth Century" - and is co-editor of another ten, and has written numerous articles and book reviews. He has chaired reaffirmation of accreditation committees for the Association of Theological Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, served as a library consultant for ten libraries, and in retirement is currently on committees of the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Theological Library Association. During his 28 years on the staff of the Pitts Theology Library, he worked extensively with its rare book collection (now more than 150,000 titles), purchasing materials for the library, making dozens of presentations to classes, civic, and church groups, and writing about the library’s materials for scholarly and popular journals.