Around 1440, German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press. This invention is widely regarded as one of the most influential events in human history. Before the press, books were hand-copied by scribes, making them rare, expensive, and accessible only to the elite. Gutenberg’s system allowed for the mass production of books for the first time. This led to a dramatic increase in literacy across Europe and the rapid spread of new ideas. The printing press was the primary engine behind the Protestant Reformation, as it allowed the Bible to be printed in common languages rather than just Latin. It also fueled the Scientific Revolution by allowing researchers to share findings accurately. By the year 1500, over 20 million volumes had been produced in Western Europe, transforming the continent from a largely illiterate society into one of widespread intellectual discourse.