Final answer:
Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440 in Germany, initiating the printing revolution in Europe. His innovation enabled the mass production of books like the Gutenberg Bible and had a profound impact on literacy and the dissemination of knowledge. Venice emerged as the printing capital of Europe, with widespread adoption of Gutenberg's methods shaping the future of print.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inventor of the printing press was Johann Gutenberg, a German entrepreneur who developed the technology around 1440. Gutenberg's invention was monumental as it led to the mass production of books and facilitated the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance. While moveable type printing existed in China and Korea before Gutenberg's invention, his method was revolutionary in Europe because it suited the alphabet-based language system and was commercially viable.
Gutenberg used individually cast metal letters, incorporating an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, and his system allowed for the consistent production of identical texts, such as the famous 180 copies of the Bible. This process transformed how texts were created and distributed, leading to a significant decrease in illiteracy and sparking the beginning of the printing revolution in Europe.
By 1480, his methods had been adopted and improved upon throughout Europe, with many cities establishing their own printing presses, thereby exponentially increasing the accessibility and distribution of printed material. Venice, in particular, became the printing capital of Europe, and the fonts designed by these early printers bear a resemblance to many used today.