Final answer:
The printing press revolutionized the production and accessibility of texts, leading to increased knowledge spread and literacy, thereby influencing historical movements like the Renaissance and the Reformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the advent of the printing press, the transmission of texts was unreliable due to the variation in hand-copied manuscripts. Each scribe could potentially alter the meaning of the text, leading to inconsistencies. Additionally, these handmade books were rare and costly. The breakthrough invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized the production and dissemination of knowledge. Gutenberg's use of movable type made it possible to produce identical copies of texts, such as the Bible, at a much faster pace and lower cost. This greatly facilitated the spread of knowledge, literacy, and ultimately contributed to historical movements such as the Renaissance and the Reformation.
The spread of knowledge and ideas became more efficient and widespread as printing techniques improved. By making texts more accessible to a broader audience, the printing press played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world. As books became more available, literacy rates increased, and an informed public was better equipped to engage in intellectual discourse and question prevailing authorities and ideas.