Frederick Koenig

Friedrich Gottlob Koenig (1774-1833) was a German inventor best-known for his high-speed printing press, which he built together with watchmaker Andreas Friedrich Bauer. He moved to London in 1806 and in 1811 was granted a patent on his press, which was finally ready in December 1812. The machine was set up in their workshop, and invitations sent out to potential customers, notably John Walter of The Times. Amidst much secrecy, for fear of upsetting the existing pressmen, trials were carried out with great success. The first issue of The Times printed with the new presses was published on November 29, 1814.