Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable-type printing press, died in Mainz, Germany. He was likely buried as a tertiary in the Franciscan church. The church and cemetery were later destroyed, and Gutenberg's grave is now lost. This date marks the end of Gutenberg's life and his direct involvement in the development and spread of printing technology, although his legacy continued to grow exponentially.

Archbishop Adolph von Nassau recognized Gutenberg's achievements and bestowed upon him the title of Hofmann (gentleman of the court). This honor included a stipend, an annual court outfit, and tax-free access to 2,180 liters of grain and 2,000 liters of wine. This was a significant event in Gutenberg's later life, providing him with financial security and social recognition after the disputes with Fust and the loss of his printing workshop.

The Mainz Psalter, printed by Johann Fust and Peter Schöffer, was the first book to bear the printer's name and date of publication. This was a significant event in the history of printing, as it marked a departure from the anonymity of earlier printed works and established a precedent for identifying the producers of printed materials. Ironically, it did not mention Gutenberg, despite him being the inventor of the technology that made its production possible.

Around this time, the printing press was in operation, and a German poem had been printed, possibly the first item to be printed there. By this date, Gutenberg may have been familiar with intaglio printing; it is claimed that he had worked on copper engravings with an artist known as the Master of Playing Cards. This was a milestone for Gutenberg's movable-type printing technology as his printing press became operational and the new technology started to take shape.