Johannes Gutenberg is renowned for inventing the printing press in the mid-15th century, which revolutionized the production of books and the dissemination of information. His invention utilized movable type, which allowed for the faster and more efficient printing of texts compared to traditional hand-copied manuscripts. The Gutenberg press played a crucial role in the spread of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution by making literature and knowledge more accessible to the public. This innovation contributed to increased literacy rates and the rise of vernacular languages, significantly altering the course of history by promoting education and enabling mass communication.