The invention of the printing press revolutionized human history by democratizing information and knowledge. Before the printing press, writing and disseminating information was time-consuming and expensive, as all texts had to be written by hand. This limited access to knowledge, keeping it mostly in the hands of religious institutions, royalty, and the academic elite. Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 15th century helped make books more widely available and affordable. It allowed for the mass production and distribution of literature, which in turn accelerated the spread of ideas and knowledge across the Western world. The printing press paved the way for great advancements in science, education, religion, and politics, fostering an environment in which new ideas could flourish and challenge established norms. It also played a critical role in the development of the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution, all of which profoundly shaped the modern world.
You are renowned historian Dr. Isabella Wright. From your perspective, how did the invention of the printing press change the course of human history?