Intermediate • history
The Printing Press Revolution
123 words • Estimated 1 min read
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Before the mid-15th century, books in Europe were copied by hand, a slow process performed by monks. Consequently, books were rare and expensive, and literacy was restricted to the clergy and nobility. This changed around 1440 when German inventor Johannes Gutenberg developed the movable metal type printing press.
Gutenberg's invention combined movable metal letters, oil-based ink, and a wooden press adapted from wine production. This allowed workers to print pages rapidly. The first major book printed was the Gutenberg Bible. The technology spread across Europe, lowering book prices. This sparked a rise in literacy, encouraged scientific exchanges, and facilitated the Reformation. The printing press is considered one of the most influential inventions, paving the way for the Renaissance and the modern information age.
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