As was the case in England, the introduction of the printing machine in Germany excited considerable hostility among the pressmen.

In some of the principal towns they entered into combinations to destroy them, and several printing machines were broken by violence and irretrievably injured.
But progress could not be stopped; the printing machine had been fairly born, and must eventually do its work for mankind.

These combinations, however, had an effect for a time.

They deterred other printers from giving orders for the machines; and Koenig and Bauer were under the necessity of suspending their manufacture to a considerable extent.

To keep their men employed, the partners proceeded to fit up a paper manufactory, Mr.Cotta, of Stuttgart, joining them in the adventure; and a mill was fitted up, embodying all the latest improvements in paper-making.
Koenig, however, did not live to enjoy the fruits or all his study, labour, toil, and anxiety; for, while this enterprise was still in progress, and before the machine trade had revived, he was taken ill, and confined to bed.