Printing Press Gutenberg

Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press (c. 1450, Mainz, Germany) is widely considered the most transformative technological development in the history of Western civilization. The Gutenberg Bible (1455) was the first major book printed with movable type — 180 copies in total. Before the printing press, a single book took a monk months to copy; after it, thousands of identical books could be produced in the same time. The printing press democratized knowledge — making books affordable enough that ordinary people could own them; enabling the standardization of languages; facilitating the Protestant Reformation (Luther's 95 Theses were printed and distributed across Germany within weeks); accelerating the Scientific Revolution (scientists could share discoveries rapidly); and enabling the Enlightenment's spread of ideas. It is the closest historical analog to the internet. The Gutenberg Bible (2 copies sold at auction for $5M each) is the most valuable printed book in history.