Question

which innovation changed the distribution and consumption of written materials during the renaissance

Answer 1

The printing press allowed for written works to be mass produced during this time. So the info and ideas contained within them became more widespread. 

Answer 2

The innovation that changed the distribution and consumption of written materials during the renaissance was the printing press.

A Printing Press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface, on a print medium to transfer the ink. Thereby, printing information into paper.

It was a huge improvement, as it allowed for the distribution of information in a more effective and faster way, as well as "democratizing" education, by facilitating the printing of books, papers and any other way of printed information used for education.