Final answer:
Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable type printing press in 15th century Europe marked a pivotal moment in the production and dissemination of printed materials, playing a significant role in the Renaissance and the spread of humanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg, a German silversmith, revolutionized the production of books with his invention of the movable type printing press in the 15th century. Although similar technology existed in China and Korea earlier, Gutenberg's innovation in Europe around 1440 facilitated widespread dissemination of printed materials. His creation relied on metal blocks, each bearing a single letter, which were arranged to form pages of text. This text could then be inked and pressed onto paper to produce numerous identical copies. Gutenberg's first major work using this technique was the Gutenberg Bible, printed around 1455. The invention spurred a remarkable increase in book production, contributing to a decline in illiteracy and advancing the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance period.
By 1480, almost every large European city housed a printing press, with Venice becoming the publishing capital. Early printers devised several fonts that bear resemblance to those in use today. The printing revolution instigated by Gutenberg's press played a crucial role in facilitating the spread of humanism and the subsequent questioning of religious and political authority throughout Europe.