Class Discussion Movable-type Printing Press

If I was asked what I thought the most important invention ever was before this lecture, I probably would have said something like electricity or the internet. But now I think it's without a doubt the movable type printing press.  When Gutenburg invented his version of the printing press it changed the world. Because of his invention books became available to people other than the rich Kings and churches. Most importantly, the bible became more available because Gutenburg's printing press could produce more of the translated bible which made it much cheaper. This was important because now people could read the bible themselves and not depend on the church to tell them what it says. I think this was very important because now people could have their own ideas about god and be more independent from the church. Ideas could also be spread more easily, like political ideas could be written , copied, and dispersed throughout the country. The most important thing that happened because of this invention was the increased literacy rates. If people were illiterate there wouldn't be any type of technology because you would need a basic understanding of reading to do almost anything innovative. Gutenburg's invention is  the most important invention of all time because it led to literacy, independence, and technology.