Effects of Gutenberg's Metal Movable Type: RESPONSE

One of the most interesting lectures from Journalism 1 for me would have to be the books/movable type lecture. Before learning all about books and the first metal movable type, I had no idea about Gutenberg or what he invented. Once I learned about the inventions and technology leading up to Gutenberg’s invention of the metal movable type, I was very interested in learning how it had an effect on the world and life in general.


I found out that once Gutenberg invented the metal movable type, education and literacy went up because more people had easier access to books and documents for education. Also, one of the biggest effects of Gutenberg’s printing press was the Renaissance. When the printing press was created, ideas began spreading rapidly all around Europe and that was basically what sparked the Renaissance.


Since ideas could spread so rapidly with this invention, philosophical and political ideas also began spreading rapidly. The invention of the metal movable type also meant that it would be easier for history to be recorded and for people to keep records of events. This invention even meant that more accurate maps could be distributed and exploration could be a little bit easier because the maps people used would be more accurate.


Before listening to this lecture over books and the first metal movable type by Gutenberg, I knew nothing about this topic. I didn’t realize that the printing press had such a huge effect on today’s world and how we live our lives. I found it super fascinating to learn about how just this one invention has had such an enormous impact on the world! If Gutenberg had not invented the metal movable type, then the world we would be living in would be completely different. In fact, we probably wouldn't even be here right now if it was not invented! Overall this lecture taught me a lot and I found it very interesting!