Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, October, 1877. Vol XX -Author: Various,Language: English, Class: AP: General Works: Periodicals, Release Date: Jul 27, 2005