Final answer:
Johannes Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge by making book production more efficient and promoting literacy, which aided in cultural movements like the Renaissance and the Reformation. Gutenberg's press spread rapidly across Europe and had lasting effects on society and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johannes Gutenberg's invention, the printing press, has been described as revolutionary primarily because it made the printing of books more efficient, which in turn encouraged more people to learn to read. The first book he printed was the Bible, and around 180 copies were produced in 1455. Gutenberg's use of movable type was particularly significant for languages with alphabets, making it a perfect fit for the Latin script used in Europe, as opposed to the character-based scripts of languages like Chinese where the technology originally developed. His innovation had a profound impact on literacy, knowledge dissemination, and the cultural and intellectual life of Europe.
By 1480, printing presses had spread to most large European cities, including Venice, which became the printing capital of Europe. This spread of printing technology facilitated the Renaissance, an era of renewed interest in classical knowledge and humanism. It also played a crucial role in the Reformation by enabling figures like Martin Luther to distribute religious texts and pamphlets widely, challenging the Catholic Church and altering European Christianity. Gutenberg's invention is regarded as one of the most critical in European history, significantly shaping the modern world.