Who is credited with inventing the printing press?

Johannes Gutenberg is credited with inventing the printing press around the 1440s, which transformed the process of producing books and disseminating information. His invention utilized movable type, allowing for the efficient production of written materials in large quantities. This technological advancement played a critical role in the spread of literacy, the democratization of knowledge, and ultimately, the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe. Gutenberg's printing press enabled more people to access books and information, contributing to significant cultural and scientific shifts throughout history.

The contributions of figures like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Graham Bell are notable in other areas, such as electricity, journalism, and communication technology, respectively, but they do not pertain to the invention of the printing press.