The event considered the beginning of the Renaissance is often attributed to the discovery of the Gutenberg printing press around 1440. This technological advancement revolutionized the spread of information and ideas, allowing texts to be produced rapidly and disseminated widely. The printing press made literature, scientific knowledge, and art more accessible to the public, leading to a surge in humanist thinking and individual expression. This cultural movement laid the foundation for significant changes in art, science, and philosophy, ushering in an era characterized by innovation and a renewed interest in classical antiquity.