Here’s a timeline summarizing the key events in the history of the King James Version (KJV) Bible, the printing press, and literacy rates:

The Printing Press and Early Bible Printing (1400s–1500s)

• 1440: Johannes Gutenberg invents the movable-type printing press in Mainz, Germany.
• 1455: Gutenberg produces the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed using movable type.
• 1535: William Tyndale completes his English translation of the Bible, which becomes the foundation for later English translations, including the KJV.
• 1539: The Great Bible, the first authorized English Bible, is printed under King Henry VIII.

The King James Version Bible (1600s)

• 1604: King James I of England commissions a new translation of the Bible to resolve disputes among religious factions.
• 1611: The King James Version (KJV) is completed and published. It becomes the definitive English Bible for centuries.
  • Early copies are expensive and rare due to limited literacy and the cost of production.

Literacy Growth and the Printing Revolution (1700s–1800s)

• 1700s: Literacy rates in Europe and North America begin to rise due to increased access to education and printed materials.
  • Approx. 47% of men and 27% of women in England are literate by 1750.
• 1800: Advances in printing technology, like steam-powered presses, make books and pamphlets cheaper and more accessible.
  • Literacy rates climb to 53% for men and 40% for women in England.
• 1844: The invention of rotary presses enables mass printing of books, further increasing Bible distribution.

Industrial Era and Bible Accessibility (1900s)

• 1900: Global literacy rates are around 21%. Efforts to translate the Bible into more languages intensify.
• 1940s–50s: The KJV remains dominant in English-speaking countries despite competition from modern translations like the Revised Standard Version (RSV).
• 1980s: With increasing literacy rates worldwide (around 70% by 1980), Bible distribution by organizations like the Gideons International and the United Bible Societies grows exponentially.

Modern Era: Technology and Literacy (2000s–Today)

• 2000s: Digital Bibles and apps emerge, making the KJV and other versions widely available.
  • Global literacy rates reach 86% by 2016 (UNESCO).
• 2011: The 400th anniversary of the KJV is celebrated, highlighting its lasting influence.
• 2024: The KJV remains a literary classic and a touchstone for English-speaking Christians, even as newer translations gain popularity.
  • Global literacy rates are over 90% in most developed nations but vary in developing regions.

This timeline shows how the development of printing technology, the translation of the KJV Bible, and literacy growth are intertwined. The printing press revolutionized access to written works, while literacy advancements enabled broader access to the Bible and other texts.

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Truly “The Great Awakening”?

universal literacy,

and universal access to the holy bible