Which invention significantly aided in the spread of literacy and literature during the Renaissance?

The printing press played a transformative role in the spread of literacy and literature during the Renaissance. Invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, the printing press allowed for the mass production of books and written materials. This innovation drastically reduced the cost of books, making them more accessible to the general public and not just the wealthy or learned elites.

Prior to the printing press, books were laboriously copied by hand, which was time-consuming and expensive, resulting in very limited circulation. The advent of the printing press allowed for the rapid dissemination of new ideas, scientific discoveries, and classic texts. As a result, literacy rates began to rise, as more people had access to reading materials. This newfound availability significantly contributed to the intellectual movement of the Renaissance, encouraging a spirit of inquiry and education across Europe.

The other inventions listed—such as the telescope, compass, and mechanical clock—while important in their own right, did not have the same direct impact on literacy and the distribution of literature as the printing press did. The telescope advanced the field of astronomy, the compass improved navigation, and the mechanical clock enhanced timekeeping, but none directly influenced the spread of written language and accessibility to literature to the extent that the printing press did.