Final answer:
Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press around 1436, leading to the printing revolution and wider dissemination of knowledge in Europe. The correct option is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johannes Gensfleisch Zur Laden zum Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press around 1436, which had a profound effect on society by making books more accessible and aiding in the dissemination of knowledge. The printing revolution began with the release of 180 Bibles, leading to an increase in book production and a decline in illiteracy rates.
Gutenberg's invention was pivotal, as it modernized the process of printing, previously done manually by monks, and spread rapidly throughout Europe, propelling advances in the Renaissance and the Reformation.