The invention of printing was one of the great contributions to civilization. During the period of the Renaissance, when renewed interest was centered on learning, printing was a timely invention. In 1456, John Gutenberg printed his first book – the Bible. Before this time books were copied by hand.
This was a slow process and not very many copies could be produced. The copying of manuscript books was one of the tasks performed by monks in the monasteries. Not ,only was the method slow and expensive, but there was always the possibility of errors from careless work. With the invention of printing, books became numerous, and many more people learned to read. In this way they became conscious of the spirit of freedom which the Revival of Learning brought.
People learned more of other times and places. Educators expanded their horizon and raised the cultural level. A new era began in the Western world.