Question

What do you know about the growth press and its impact?

Answer 1

The advent of the printing press over five hundred years ago may be described as one of the few major significant events in mankind’s history in terms of the greatest impact on literacy. Before paper and print were invented, oral communication was the only method in which information was gathered and distributed. Even though this bound the community together, it did not allow the community to grow and there were no methods of accurately storing and retrieving information. Further, if the community moved on or perished so did their historical records and knowledge. Although the following technologies involved the written word in the form of papyrus scrolls and manuscript codex as examples, it was still quite time consuming and limited to the upper literate elite class of society. When the printing press was invented there was a shift from the laborious manuscript making to the codex print allowing many copies of written work to be quickly created, in turn providing greater access to information for all and providing the framework for the gradual transformation of societal literacy.



The printing press has also been described as a driving factor in creating significant cultural and religious transformations throughout Europe. Eisenstein (1997) discusses the shift from manuscript to print in relation to three movements, namely the Scientific Revolution, Renaissance and the Reformation. With the invention of the printing press, the scientists were more readily able to share and exchange information. Further, as diagrams were hand drawn, detailed diagrams and sketches would be time consuming and the printing press would easily reproduce many copies with ease. By being able to quickly reproduce diagrams, pictures and tables for mass consumption and readership, scholars were more eager to take the time to produce accurate and useful illustrations. The dissemination of scientific knowledge through the use of the printing press further increased literacy as more individuals would have increased access to such knowledge and would be readily available for the next person to continue or build on previous research.

The printing press was an agent of change in terms of educational practice. It transformed the relationship between educator and student. “Previous relations between masters and disciples were altered. Students who took full advantage of technical texts which served as silent instructors…. Young minds provided with updated editions, especially of mathematical texts began to surpass not only their own elders but the wisdom of ancients as well.” (Eisenstein, 1979, p. 689).

Lastly, many works were produced in the Latin language and thereby the printing press assisted in promoting this language. However, very few individuals knew how to read Latin and so over time and with the demand by the ever increasing literate public, a growing number of written works were being translated from Latin and slowly replaced by the vernacular language of each area. From 1520, many printers turned their offices into workshops for translators. (Febre & Martin. 1997: 271-272). In providing written work in an individual’s native language, this further positively impacted literacy rates as there were less obstacles in access to the written word.

With the invention of the printing press, the most immediate effect was the output of a greater number of books at a more economical cost to the general public. Over the longer term however, books would not only increase literacy rates due to the increased availability and access but also would help begin the spread of political and religious movements within Europe. It is without a doubt the printing press has had an impact on societal literacy rates but to what extent is still debated. Currently we are experiencing a similar monumental shift in education in a new form of technology with the Internet. Hopefully we can learn from the implementation of the printing press and in conjunction with the Internet beneficially understand the growth, development and impact on literacy.