What impact did the printing press have on society?

The printing press significantly revolutionized the spread of information by making written material more accessible and affordable. Before its invention, books were laboriously copied by hand, making them rare and expensive, which limited literacy and education to a small elite. With the advent of the printing press, texts could be reproduced quickly and in larger quantities, allowing for ideas, knowledge, and political thoughts to circulate widely among the public.

This democratization of information led to increased literacy rates since more people had access to books and printed materials, including literature, religious texts, and scientific works. The printing press also played a crucial role in the Renaissance and the Reformation, helping to disseminate new ideas and challenge established authorities. As a result, it fostered an environment of shared knowledge that contributed to societal shifts towards enlightenment and reform, making it a pivotal development in history. Other choices do not directly pertain to the main influence of the printing press on society.