Final answer:
Johannes Gutenberg, a craftsman and inventor from Germany, developed the movable type printing press around 1440, revolutionizing book production by making them more accessible and affordable. His printing press had a profound effect on literacy and knowledge spread in Europe. The technology continued to advance, influencing European print culture immensely.
Step-by-step explanation:
The craftsman from Germany who developed the printing press incorporating movable type was Johannes Gutenberg. His invention around 1440 revolutionized the production of books, making them more accessible and affordable. Gutenberg was a multifaceted inventor who utilized his background as a blacksmith and a publisher to create metal type and a letter block mold, which standardized the printing process. His use of a press design derived from wine or apple presses allowed for even pressure during printing.
Gutenberg's printing press greatly impacted literacy and knowledge dissemination in Europe. The first product of Gutenberg's press was a beautifully printed Bible, with the first edition comprising 180 identical copies. This feat marked a significant milestone in the history of printing, different from earlier Chinese movable type because it suited the alphabet-based European languages.
Printing techniques continued to evolve after Gutenberg's invention, with Venice emerging as the printing capital of Europe by 1480, and the creation of many fonts that bear close resemblance to those used today.