The Power of Printing

Eventually the knowledge of how to make paper made its way to Europe. In the 15th century there was an increasing need for more people to be able to read, but making copies of texts by hand was slow and laborious. What was needed was a quick and reliable method to replicate writing. Wood-block printing using moveable type developed in 15th and 16th centuries, and improved rapidly. This culminated in the invention of a printing press that used metal type by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany in 1455 AD.

From that time onwards, the art of printing evolved quickly, leading to the development of standardized types and fonts. Printing also led to changes in language and writing styles, as printers began publishing for the general public. The power of mechanized printing is that it makes it possible for many people to read the exact same piece of writing at the same time. Today, computers and cell phones are once again revolutionizing the way we write and communicate.