Gutenberg was a Native of Mainz, Germany 1394-1399. His exact date of birth, like many parts of his life, are unknown, but most likely lies between 1394 and 1399. Originally named (Johannes Gensfliesch), he belonged to the family of Gensfleisch, one of the patrician classes of Mainz. Mainz was at the junction of the Rhine and the Main, the seat of an Archbishop and a city of considerable importance in the fifteenth century (Scholderer 8) His full title was Gensfleisch zur Ladenhe, but was ordinarily known as Gutenberg meaning "good mountain". Mainz was known for it's possession of skilled workers and craftsmen in precious metals. Even Gutenberg's father Friele zun Gutenberg was associated with the archiepiscopal mint. His parents were wealthy and provided a great deal of opportunities for learning (Lehmann-Haupt 3). He started reading at a young age, which was uncommon for the time, because very few could read. Gutenberg had an insatiable appetite for literary material, and could not get enough. Besides that not much else in known about his young years. (guten)