What invention is credited with aiding the spread of Reformation ideas?

The printing press is credited with significantly aiding the spread of Reformation ideas because it allowed for the mass production of books, pamphlets, and flyers at a speed and scale previously unimaginable. Developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, the printing press facilitated the rapid dissemination of Martin Luther's 95 Theses and other Reformation literature, reaching a wider audience than would have been possible through hand-copying methods.

Before the printing press, communication was limited, and literature was primarily available to the elite who could afford to have texts hand-copied, mostly in Latin. The printing press democratized access to information, allowing texts to be printed in the vernacular, which helped ordinary people engage with religious debates and ideas. This led to increased literacy and encouraged individuals to read and interpret the Bible and theological works for themselves, fostering a challenging of established Church authority and the promotion of Reformation thoughts.

In contrast, the water wheel, steam engine, and compass, while important inventions in their own right, did not directly contribute to the spread of Reformation ideas in the same transformative manner as the printing press. The water wheel was primarily a tool for water-powered mills, the steam engine revolutionized transportation and industry in later centuries, and the