Which invention by Johannes Gutenberg had a profound impact on the spread of ideas?Group of answer choicesPrinting PressTelescopeCompassMechanical clock

The invention by Johannes Gutenberg that had a profound impact on the spread of ideas is the Printing Press. Gutenberg's printing press, developed in the mid-15th century, revolutionized the production of books and written materials. Prior to this invention, books were laboriously copied by hand, which made them scarce and expensive.

With the advent of the printing press, texts could be produced much more rapidly and in greater quantities. This not only made books more accessible to the general public but also facilitated the dissemination of knowledge across Europe. The printing press played a crucial role in the spread of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution by enabling the wide circulation of new ideas and challenging existing authorities. It ultimately laid the groundwork for modern literacy and the free exchange of thoughts, significantly contributing to the development of democratic societies and intellectual movements.

In conclusion, while the telescope, compass, and mechanical clock were significant inventions in their own right, the printing press fundamentally altered the way information was shared and consumed, making it a cornerstone of cultural and intellectual progress.