Because of writing, the words of distant people can influence events, offer knowledge, and change the world. Much of the credit for the development of this phenomenon can be attributed to one man, Johannes Gensfleisch Zur Laden Zum Gutenberg. In the year 1439 the city where Gutenberg lived was planning to exhibit its large collection from Emperor Charlemagne. The impatient investors demanded that Gutenberg return their investments, but he had already spent the money on producing the unsaleable mirrors. Gutenberg decided instead to share his greatest secret with them. Gutenberg had created the mechanical printing press with movable type. Before the spread of of Gutenberg’s idea, literature was hand written. Because of effort put into making book, they were extremely rare so there was no reason to learn to read or write. Gutenberg's brilliant idea would change the world. As these printing technologies spread, news and book began to travel much faster than previously possible. The world has not been the same since.
