[Panfilo Castaldi (1430? - 1487): a physician-typographer]

The issue about whether it was Johann Gutenberg in Mainz or Panfilo Castaldi in Feltre (in the Italian region of Veneto) to first invent movable metal type for printing around 1450 still raises a controversy, even though Gutenberg is generally perceived as the one. What is beyond doubt, however, is that Castaldi pioneered the new revolutionary printing method with the historical texts written by great physicians such as Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicenna. His early publishing success raised bitter competition all around him, which eventually drove him out of this flourishing business, and he returned to his long-neglected medical profession. Castaldi's new "art" was received coldly by his apprehensive fellow citizens. As soon as he was buried, they invaded the printing office and, believing that the printing machines were the "devil's instruments", tore it apart.