Final answer:
Gutenberg's printing press was more efficient than handwriting text, as it allowed for the mass production of books and the spread of knowledge. It utilized movable metal type that could be arranged, inked, and pressed onto paper, representing a huge leap forward compared to the manual copying of texts by monks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invention of Johannes Gutenberg's printing press marked a revolution in the production of texts, particularly the Bible. When comparing the efficiency of using Gutenberg's press to handwriting text, it is clear that the press was significantly more efficient. The press allowed for multiple copies of a text to be produced at a faster rate compared to the laborious and slow process of copying by hand. Historical evidence supports the notion that after the invention of the printing press, book production increased, and consequently, illiteracy rates began to fall. Gutenberg's methods utilized movable metal type and a press design similar to that of wine or apple presses, enabling the mass production of books and facilitating the spread of knowledge. The correct choice, therefore, is a. The press was more efficient than writing by hand.
In historical context, before the printing press, books were unique artifacts created painstakingly by monks in monasteries. Gutenberg, with his press, revolutionized this process by inventing a system of interchangeable metal letters that could be arranged to form text on a page, inked, and then pressed onto paper. This process was a dramatic improvement in efficiency and uniformity compared to the manual copying of texts.
Moreover, Gutenberg's printing press set the foundation for future developments in printing technology, which continued to increase efficiency and reach, leading to the industrial revolution in print technology with steam-powered and rotary printing presses that could produce tens of thousands of copies per hour.