Final answer:
The first printing press arrived in Venice in 1469, sparking a rapid increase in book production and affirming Venice as a pivotal site for the proliferation of print media. This contributed significantly to the Renaissance and the broader dissemination of knowledge and humanist ideas across Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first printing press arrived in Venice in 1469, which led to a rapid increase in book production. Venice soon emerged as the printing capital of Europe due to the expansion and effectiveness of the printing press, initially developed by Johannes Gutenberg. Gutenberg's innovation in Europe around the mid-fifteenth century revolutionized the spread of knowledge, contributing to the advent of the Renaissance and changing the way information was mass-produced and disseminated. These early printers in Venice designed many fonts, some of which bear a strong resemblance to those we use today. Thus, option a. 1469, leading to a rapid increase in book production, is correct.
The printing revolution began with Gutenberg's Bible and caused an upsurge in book production and a decline in illiteracy. The technology quickly spread to major European cities, with widespread social and cultural impacts. The advent of the press facilitated the dissemination of classical texts, the spread of humanist ideas, and fueled skepticism toward the religious and political establishments of the time.