The invention of the Printing press was equalled to the widespread popularity of the World Wide Web. The insinuation of this invention was vast and widespread. Some went on to say, knowledge in the Renaissance or the protestant Reformation, would not have augmented without this. Some even accredit Martin Luther and Reformation’s extensive influence on the discovery of the printing press. The printing press may have its social and economical manipulation but the main acknowledgement was the spread of the books and the knowledge of the prime which lead to the distribution of the ideas.
The printing press plays an important role in the communications world. If we really consider the true historical invention and the influence on the socio-economic and political world, the span lasts for more than 500 years. The effect of the printing press should be analysed only after considering its invention, especially on the fact of printing books before the use of printing press. Many think that the printing press single handedly brought about Reformation, socio-political change, scientific theories to the common man and thus man was enlightened.
The printing press was not the only invention which revolutionised the whole world. In the 15th century, Gutenberg brought about some changes like the movable printing press, the winepress, oil based ink and the paper. All these culminated in its success story. Holland and Prague saw the development together. However, it was the pursuit of the printing press which leads to these other inventions.
Firstly it was the adapted wine oil or olive oil in the screw press types which was used in Asia and Europe. The second was implementing the block print technology which has been in used in Europe since the era of Marco Polo. And the last, the new customised technology was the invention of paper which was more durable and used in mass production. The first paper which was bought from China was considered to be too flimsy to be kept in books.
The first paper was vellum, though it was considered to be durable, it was too costly to be printed as books. But Gutenberg changed the whole concept inventing oil based inks which would not blot in vellum. The other major modification was the punch and mould system which eased mass production.
The effects of the printing press were limitless. The major role it played was demeaning of the costs of the books and ensuring the growth of literacy. Facilitating knowledge, the books preserved information and gave new scope for debunking and disseminating knowledge. Literacy spread and the books longer catered to only religion. The new books encompassed different subjects ranging from morality, literature, science, medical, moralising and practical manuals. The information and the knowledge stayed uncorrupted and the world progressed exponentially.
Thus we see that printing played a major role in developing the world as it is today. Printing has undergone a huge change from the earliest printing press. One of the companies in the market, Hollinger uses the latest technology for printing leaflets, calendar, letterheads, comp slips etc in Norwich.
