Who is credited with the invention of the printing press, which significantly impacted the spread of ideas during the Reformation?

The invention of the printing press is credited to Johannes Gutenberg, who developed a movable type printing system around 1440. This innovation had a profound impact on the spread of ideas and information, particularly during the Reformation. Gutenberg's printing press made it possible to produce books and pamphlets quickly and in larger quantities than ever before. This facilitated the dissemination of Reformation texts, such as Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, allowing reformist ideas to reach a wide audience and challenge the established views of the Catholic Church. The accessibility of printed materials contributed to increased literacy and sparked critical discussions about religious, political, and social issues of the time, ultimately transforming European society.