Arguably the largest invention in the time of Renaissance was that of the printing press.
Background
The printing press was invented in 1436 by German Johann Gutenberg. Before this development monks had to copy everything by hand, and the invention of the printing press greatly increased the efficiency of literature distribution. Gutenberg used his printing press to put ink on hundreds of individual letters that could be combined in numerous ways to create a entire page of text. After this stage was completed, as many copies as desired could be created. However, if a new page of text was desired, the individual letters had to be completely rearranged. This invention led to Gutenburg's mass production of the bible, which he produced in 1456 in Mainz, Germany. He made nearly two hundred copies of this two-volume Gutenberg Bible. Renaissance
After 1450, the printing press was a major factor that helped speed the spread of the Renaissance across Europe. Although Gutenberg tried to keep his invention a secret, it spread rapidly to Italy, where Italians began using the press to publish a variety of their own works.
Since the printing press resulted in the decrease of book costs, more and more people became literate as more people could afford the books. It made information more available to a larger segment of the population, who were eager for information of any kind. It began an "information revolution" as printing could and did spread new ideas quickly and with greater impact. Printing also provided a superior basis for scholarship and it made process in critical scholarship and science faster and more reliable.
Moving forward from the Middle Ages, where only monks and priests could read, the quality of life increased as a result of this printing press. More subjects other than scientific or religious works were desired; this caused books on other subjects to be published as well. Books were also printed in many languages including Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, English and Portuguese.
Background
The printing press was invented in 1436 by German Johann Gutenberg. Before this development monks had to copy everything by hand, and the invention of the printing press greatly increased the efficiency of literature distribution. Gutenberg used his printing press to put ink on hundreds of individual letters that could be combined in numerous ways to create a entire page of text. After this stage was completed, as many copies as desired could be created. However, if a new page of text was desired, the individual letters had to be completely rearranged. This invention led to Gutenburg's mass production of the bible, which he produced in 1456 in Mainz, Germany. He made nearly two hundred copies of this two-volume Gutenberg Bible.
Renaissance
After 1450, the printing press was a major factor that helped speed the spread of the Renaissance across Europe. Although Gutenberg tried to keep his invention a secret, it spread rapidly to Italy, where Italians began using the press to publish a variety of their own works.
Since the printing press resulted in the decrease of book costs, more and more people became literate as more people could afford the books. It made information more available to a larger segment of the population, who were eager for information of any kind. It began an "information revolution" as printing could and did spread new ideas quickly and with greater impact. Printing also provided a superior basis for scholarship and it made process in critical scholarship and science faster and more reliable.
Moving forward from the Middle Ages, where only monks and priests could read, the quality of life increased as a result of this printing press. More subjects other than scientific or religious works were desired; this caused books on other subjects to be published as well. Books were also printed in many languages including Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, English and Portuguese.
Bibliography
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/press.html
http://mr_sedivy.tripod.com/rena10.html
http://www.cyberessays.com/History/24.htm
http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/RenAissance/University/Inventions/PrintingPress.html
~Julia Pasieka~
Bible Answers