Lesson 82- How did the development of the printing press affect Europe? – Flashcards

Chinese invented paper and block printing years earlier. 700's

By 1300: the idea of block printing reached Europe from China. Block printing was too slow to satisfy European demand for books.

1440- Johann Gutenberg (Germany) invented the printing press. Machine that pressed paper against tray of movable letters. 1456- Printed a complete addition of the Bible.

Bookmaking became much cheaper. More people purchased books and learned to read- literacy increased. Bookmaking became faster. Different types of books/subjects were printed, expanded knowledge. New books were published in vernacular.

New ideas (Renaissance) spread throughout Europe. People could read and interpret the Bible for themselves- led to questioning.