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.In the Early Days along the Overland Trail in Nebraska Territory, in 1852 by ColeAuthor: Cole, Gilbert L., 1828?-,Language: English, Class: F590.3: United States local history: The West. Trans-Mississippi Region. Great Plains, Release Date: Feb 25, 2010