Which factor had a profound effect on the spread of ideas during the Renaissance?

The invention of the printing press significantly transformed the dissemination of ideas during the Renaissance. This innovation allowed for the mass production of books and pamphlets, making literature and scholarly works more accessible to a broader audience beyond the elite class. Prior to the printing press, knowledge was shared mainly through handwritten manuscripts, which were time-consuming and costly to produce. The printing press, introduced by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, reduced the cost and increased the speed of production, facilitating the spread of new ideas in philosophy, science, and the arts.

As a result, important texts, such as Martin Luther's reformative writings and the works of humanists, became widely available, leading to increased literacy rates and stimulating intellectual discourse across Europe. This accessibility contributed to various movements, including the Reformation and the advancement of humanism, shaping the cultural landscape of the time in profound ways. The impact of the printing press on communication and knowledge-sharing fundamentally altered societal structures, fostering an environment ripe for innovation and change during the Renaissance.