What factor largely contributed to the spread of Renaissance ideas?

The invention of the printing press played a crucial role in the spread of Renaissance ideas. Developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, the printing press allowed for the rapid production of written materials, making books more accessible and affordable than ever before. This technological advancement enabled the dissemination of literature, art, and scientific works that reflected Renaissance thought, encouraging literacy and the exchange of ideas across Europe.

As a result, texts that previously might have been limited to a small, elite audience became available to a much wider population, leading to an increased engagement with classical knowledge and contemporary humanist philosophy. The effects of this innovation extended beyond mere access to information; it facilitated discussion, debate, and a shared cultural experience among diverse groups of people, thus amplifying the influence of Renaissance thinkers and artists.

The other options, while important in different historical contexts, did not have the same immediate and profound impact on the dissemination of ideas during the Renaissance. The telephone, for instance, was invented centuries later, and while the establishment of universities contributed to intellectual development, it was the printing press that truly enabled widespread educational outreach. Similarly, the rise of feudalism is a concept more associated with the medieval period than with the transformative advancements of the Renaissance.