Final answer:
The greatest evolution in communication before the printing press was the invention of the telegraph, which revolutionized communication by enabling the rapid transmission of information over long distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The greatest evolution in communication before the printing press was the invention of the telegraph.
The telegraph, developed in the mid-1800s, revolutionized communication by allowing information to be transmitted over long distances in a matter of minutes. This greatly improved the speed and efficiency of communication, enabling people to share news and ideas more effectively.
The telegraph had a significant impact on print media as well, as it made it possible for newspapers to gather and disseminate news from various sources quickly and accurately, leading to the rise of powerful media empires like those of William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer.