The Printing Press

Before the printing press, books were copied by hand, which made them rare and expensive. In the fifteenth century, movable type made it possible to produce texts far more quickly. Within decades, millions of books were circulating across Europe. This dramatic increase in information helped to spread new scientific and religious ideas. Literacy gradually became more common as reading material grew cheaper. Authorities, however, were sometimes alarmed by the rapid circulation of controversial opinions. Historians often compare the impact of printing to that of the internet today. Both technologies made it easier to share knowledge, but also to spread misinformation. The lesson is that powerful tools always bring both opportunities and risks.