How did Johann Gutenberg's invention the printing press affect Europe in the late 1400s and 1500s?

Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century revolutionized Europe by drastically increasing the production of books, making literature and knowledge more accessible to the general public. This democratization of information facilitated the spread of Renaissance ideas, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation. As a result, literacy rates rose, and a more informed society emerged, leading to significant cultural and social transformations across Europe in the late 1400s and 1500s.