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What was the printing press?

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Quick answer

The printing press was a machine, perfected by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, that mass-produced books using movable type. It made knowledge cheap and widespread, fueling literacy, the Reformation, and the scientific revolution. Gutenberg perfected it in Europe around 1440. It used movable metal type to print quickly and cheaply.

Key things to understand

  1. Gutenberg perfected it in Europe around 1440.
  2. It used movable metal type to print quickly and cheaply.
  3. Books went from rare and costly to widely available.
  4. It spread literacy, new ideas, and revolutions.

People also ask

Who invented the printing press?
Johannes Gutenberg is credited with perfecting the movable-type printing press in Europe around 1440.
Why was the printing press so important?
It made books cheap and widespread, spreading literacy, ideas, and fueling the Reformation and science.
How did the printing press change the world?
It democratized knowledge, accelerating education, religious reform, and the scientific revolution.