The printing press was invented in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg, a German blacksmith and inventor. It was a major technological advancement that greatly increased the speed and spread of information and helped to spur the spread of knowledge and ideas during the Renaissance. Prior to the invention of the printing press, books had to be copied by hand, which was a slow and labor-intensive process. The printing press made it possible to produce many copies of a book quickly and inexpensively, which made information more widely available and helped to foster the spread of ideas.