Who invented the printing press?

The invention of the printing press is attributed to Johann Gutenberg, a German blacksmith and inventor, around 1440. His design included movable type, which allowed for the efficient reproduction of texts. This innovation dramatically changed the landscape of communication, education, and information dissemination in Europe and beyond. Prior to the printing press, books were painstakingly copied by hand, making them scarce and expensive. Gutenberg's invention reduced the cost of books, increased their availability, and significantly contributed to the spread of literacy and the ideas of the Renaissance and Reformation. The printing press is often cited as one of the key developments that led to the modern era, enabling the rapid exchange of ideas and information across Europe.

The other individuals listed are important figures in their own rights. Miguel Cervantes was a famous Spanish author known for his novel "Don Quixote." Leonardo da Vinci was a renowned polymath of the Renaissance, celebrated for his art and inventions but not for the printing press. Martin Luther was a significant figure in the Protestant Reformation, using the printing press to spread his 95 Theses and ideas, but he did not invent it.