Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press is considered the most influential event in the second millennium. By combining metal type, oil-based ink, and a wooden screw press, Gutenberg enabled the mass production of books for the first time. Before this, books were hand-copied by monks and were incredibly expensive and rare. The printing press led to a 'knowledge explosion,' drastically lowering the cost of books and increasing literacy rates across Europe. It played a critical role in the success of the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution by allowing ideas to spread rapidly and accurately across borders. The first major work produced was the 'Gutenberg Bible.' This invention democratized information, permanently breaking the monopoly that the elite and the church held over education and news.