Question

Assume you are doing research on 15^th century print culture. Which of the following would be the most significant advantage for your research?

Options

• Easier access to rare manuscripts

• Reduced need for libraries

• Increase in the ability to copy text by hand

• Increased speed and accuracy of print

Answer 1

Increased speed and accuracy of print

Explanation:

• Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 15th century (c. 1440). This transformed print culture by making books and written materials less expensive, more accurate, and faster to produce than manuscripts, which required labour-intensive hand-copying.
• This breakthrough substantially benefited researchers and scholars by increasing accessibility and effectively preserving knowledge.