Which invention had a profound impact on both education and literacy during the Renaissance?

The invention that profoundly impacted both education and literacy during the Renaissance is the printing press. Developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, the printing press revolutionized the way information was disseminated. Prior to its invention, books were laboriously copied by hand, making them expensive and rare. With the advent of the printing press, books could be produced more quickly and at a lower cost, leading to an increase in their availability.

This accessibility allowed for a wider distribution of knowledge, which significantly contributed to the spread of literacy among the general populace. Education became more attainable as schools could use printed materials, and inexpensive texts could be used to educate a larger number of people. The printing press facilitated the spread of Renaissance ideas, humanism, and the Reformation, as it allowed new thoughts and critiques of traditional beliefs to reach a broader audience. This transformative invention ultimately laid the groundwork for the modern educational system and the democratization of knowledge.