The History of Printing

Today in class, we learned about the history of the printing press. I found it extremely interesting how the art of printing goes back to the earliest of civilizations. It is amazing to me how these people, back before the time of Jesus, figured out ways to share written messages to many people, even if most people were illiterate. Although printing back in the early centuries of the common era caused a lot of corruption because of the majority of people were illiterate, our lives would not be the same today if the early printing presses had not been invented. I find this interesting because I can't imagine how different life would be without books, newspapers or magazines. It is also amazing to me how the invention of one man, Johannes Gutenberg, can impact the life of every person to live after him. Because of Gutenberg's printing press, our society is much more efficient in spreading printed news, as well as much more dignified and civilized than it would have been without his invention. Along with Gutenberg's invention, the Mesopotamians' stamp seals, the Romans' screw press, Egypt and the Chinese Han Dynasty's wood block printing and Bi Sheng's movable printing press have paved the way to what the printing press is today and I only can wonder what is to come for the world of printing.