Final answer:
Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable type printing press in 1436 led to the printing of the Gutenberg Bible, catalyzing a printing revolution. His use of type blocks for efficient book production, coupled with hand-added decorations, significantly improved accessibility to printed materials and literacy rates in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Revolution
Johannes Gutenberg, an inventor and craftsman from a wealthy family, revolutionized the production of books with his invention of the movable type printing press around 1436. His major work, the Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, was printed using type blocks that could be rearranged and reused, significantly improving the efficiency of book production. This bible's black text was printed using Gutenberg’s press while colorful decorations were added by hand.
Before Gutenberg's innovation, books in 14th-century Europe were unique and laboriously copied by hand, typically by monks in monasteries. With the advent of Gutenberg's press, the technical qualities of mass-produced books were significantly enhanced. The Gutenberg Bible was a major success and its printing is considered the start of the printing revolution. Within two years after the invention, book production soared and literacy rates began to rise. Although similar printing techniques had been used in China and Korea, Gutenberg’s press was the first of its kind in Europe and is hailed as a milestone in European history.
By 1480, the success of Gutenberg's printing methods had led to the spread of printing presses to almost every large European city. Gutenberg's invention, including the first edition of 180 identical Gutenberg Bibles, played an instrumental role in the dissemination of knowledge, the increase in literacy, and the future of the printed book.