The invention of the printing press in Europe around 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized information dissemination. It facilitated the mass production of books, significantly lowering their cost and making literature accessible to a broader public. This innovation contributed to the spread of Renaissance humanism and the Reformation, as ideas could be circulated rapidly among the populace. Literacy rates began to rise, and by challenging established authorities, such as the Catholic Church, the printing press transformed communication and education, ultimately paving the way for the modern age. It marked a profound shift in how knowledge was shared and preserved.