What is the significance of gutenbergs printing press?

Answer 1

This was the first "moveable type" printing press.

Because the type was in blocks, they could be re-arranged to produce any text. This meant that it could be very quick to produce any message or book, once you had enough letters; and when done, you could re-use them for your next project.

Until then every book was produced by hand. Flip through a bible, then imagine copying it out longhand, with a dipping inkwell and quill pen. Do that for every copy. If you had to pay someone to copy every book, at a time when very few people could read or write - so trained copiers were scarce - what do you think a book would cost? A lot!

With his press, Gutenberg could take the time to assemble a page of type - then churn out hundreds of copies in a single day.

Books became cheap and easy to produce; anyone who wanted could have a copy of a book.

The first book he produced (and also with most subsequent presses) was the Bible. Only very rich people or clergy could afford them, and because they were in Latin, only very educated people could read them. The Catholic church did not want to have everyone to have a bible to take home to read - if people did, they might find that what they read did not agree with what the church taught - especially if the translation was sloppy or not concise.

After Gutenberg, it wasn't long before people in different countries were publishing the Bible in the local language. People read and interpreted the content for themselves, and decided they knew better than the church what the bible was saying. This resulted in the Protestant revolts, as various countries threw off the control of the Catholic church.

Also - the printing pres appeared as the scientific revolution was beginning. Not only were scientists making new discoveries, they could print those in books. these were sold all voer Europe and everyone could learn and build on those discoveries much faster.

The printing press made information freer- faster, easier, and cheaper to spread all over the world.

Answer 2

Gutenberg's press was significant because it lead to the first form of mass media - the newspaper. Before the press was invented, writing was all by hand, was time consuming and expensive. With the press, things could be printed quickly and cheaply, which lead to the creation of thousands of public letters, newspapers, as well as cheaper access to books. Gutenberg's press made possible the sharing of ideas across great distances. This ultimately lead to the Enlightenment period.

Answer 3

Mass media,printed word, was produced for the first time. Schools could now produce books, easier and faster. The common person could begin learning to read in native language. The church lost some control in who could learn to read and write.

Answer 4

It meant that ideas could be spread much more easily. It meant that more people could have access to written knowledge. It played a key role in the success of the Scientific Revolution and the Reformation.

Answer 5

Good grief. You have the Internet at your fingertips. How lazy can you possibly be?

You've got a nerve asking others to do the simplest of research for you.