Final answer:
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg spurred the printing revolution, which significantly enhanced book production and literacy rates in Europe, aiding in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question explores the historical impact of different factors on the spread of education and the ability to make copies of books faster. Among the given options, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg and its ensuing printing revolution is the most significant. Gutenberg's printing press, developed in Europe in the mid-15th century, greatly increased book production and facilitated the decline in rates of illiteracy. It was especially transformative since it provided access to printed materials in local languages, thereby cementing nation-state identities and promoting common practices such as schooling and governance.Movable type printing, which originated centuries before Gutenberg in China, also had a considerable impact on education in the Song Dynasty, allowing massive production of text and widespread access to information. However, Gutenberg's press is particularly noted for igniting the Renaissance and fueling the Age of Enlightenment in Europe by disseminating knowledge broadly, beyond wealthy merchants and aristocrats. Lending libraries and reading clubs later expanded access to books even further, contributing to increased literacy among the middle class.