Technology of the Renaissance

The Renaissance period was a time of rebirth of new ideas and innovation. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, (New Edition, 2014), defines Renaissance as rebirth, a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity, (p. 422). The innovations of this period has reshaped the world we live in right now. It was between 14th and 16th century when art reached its peak. It was a period of innovations of technology, painting, sculpture and literature. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Sandro Botticelli, Johann Gutenberg are the most popular innovators of these time period.

The innovation of the printing machine by Johann Gutenberg is one of the most important innovations of the Renaissance period. It  has changed how we see technology and the printing machine today. According to BBC, Gutenberg created the printing machine in 1450 in Germany.  As reported by the (PSPrint, 2009), “it involved letters and images cut on a blocks of woods. The blocks would be dipped in ink and then stamped onto paper.”  

Gutenberg who had experience working with wood print had created a machine that could print words in great numbers. Gutenberg's machine did not use woods but instead he used metal.The metal letters could be moved around to create new words and sentences (PsPrint, 2009). According to BBC 2014, “Gutenberg Bible was the first real book to be mass-produced using movable type printing techniques.” Gutenberg’s Bible is an incredibly valuable, treasured item for its historical legacy, (PsPrint, 2009).

The invention of the printing machine had a great impact when it reached the public. During much of the Renaissance period, only rich people had books. However when Gutenberg’s invention became available, it was the most popular form of  spreading the news. Through this innovation many learned to read and it increased the public's knowledge (PsPrint, 2009).

Having access to books,newspapers, journals, and many other printed materials are the result of Gutenberg’s innovation. It revolutionized the way we communicate and spread the news around the world.

Reference

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, (New Edition, 2014). Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Springfield, MA., USA.

The Invention of the Printing Press, (2009). PsPrint. Retrieved from: https://www.psprint.com/resources/printing-press/

Russia sentences secret agents over theft of Gutenberg Bible, (2014). BBC. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27738164