Books

    Recently, we learned about the beginnings of books. Books were the first form of mass communication, originating as early as the Mesopotamian days. By the eleventh century, methods of book production had evolved to the moveable wooden type press. However, this was costly and inefficient as wood broke easily. Pieces would have to be replaced frequently. Then came Gutenburg, the man who invented the revolutionary metal moveable type press. This made book production smooth and quick, and books were being published by the hundreds all across Europe.

    The biggest impact of books were the increase of literacy, which was obviously needed to read books. Literate common people could do much more than before. They spoke out as Protestants against the Church. Education in general boomed. I find it intriguing how much of our society today can be traced back to Gutenburg's impacts (literacy, education, government, economic classes, religion, etc). Books also led to the production of other mass mediums that we still use heavily today.