Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany, likely between 1395 and 1400. The precise date remains unknown. He hailed from a patrician family, with his father, Friele Gensfleisch zur Laden, being a merchant and a member of the Mainz mint. This privileged background would later provide him with the resources and connections needed to pursue his ambitious printing endeavors. His family's association with the mint likely exposed him to metalworking techniques, skills that would prove crucial in his later inventions.

Historical records suggest that Gutenberg may have studied at the University of Erfurt. A 'Johannes de Alta Villa' (Johannes of Eltville, near Mainz) is recorded as having enrolled there around this time. While there's no definitive proof it's Gutenberg himself, it is a compelling clue. The university education would have exposed him to classical literature and learning, potentially fueling his later desire to make books more accessible.