When and How was the First Ever Book in Europe Printed?...

Where and how the first book was printed is a topic that is still to this day argued about. Some say the Chinese were the first to event such an act, printing images and scriptures of Buddhism. Others say that 'The Diamond Sutra' is the worlds earliest, printed book dating back to 868 and therefore is evidence of the first ever print. However, it was the invention of movable type printing that was seen as the beginning of printing and revolutionized publishing forever. Such an invention, came from the European Johannes Gutenberg.  

It was in Strasbourg, Germany in 1440 that Gutenberg first revealed his secret of his printing. In 1448 he had moved to Mainz, Germany in which he took a loan from his brother-in-law, Arnold Gelthus. By 1450, his time perfecting and researching his printing methods were finally unveiled, and his printing press was in operation. Wealthy moneylender Johann Fust and Perer Schoffer were also part of the enterprise. The first actual piece of writing to be printed from Gutenberg was a German poem.  However in 1455, Gutenberg released what is now known to be the first ever printed book in Europe; The Gutenberg Bible. There are said to be only 20 complete copies still available till this day, and the text is estimated to be one of the most valuable books in the world. 

A complete copy of the Gutenberg Bible has 1,272 pages. 45 copies of the book were printed on vellum, and 135 copies on handmade paper imported from Italy. Gutenberg was also known for developing an oil-based ink that has a high metallic content. In his time, the ink used were mainly water-base and not suitable for such handmade paper. 
How Gutenberg discovered 'movable type' is still unclear to experts, but a recent theory reveals he may have created text using a punch, matrix and a mold. A metal punch in which letters are carved into the material and hammered into a copper bar. This is known as a 'matrix'; a mold for a letter. This is then filled with a molten type liquid that sets into a metal almost immediately. After casting, the pieces of type are arranged into type-cases and used to create printed text. This can be repeated hundreds of times, as can the reusable matrix's. They can also be used in any combination, giving it it's name "movable type". This is the most recognised and sensible theory of how Gutenberg developed his technique. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Gutenberg