The invention that significantly improved the mass production of published material was the printing press. Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press with movable type in the 15th century revolutionized the way books, newspapers, and other written materials were produced. Prior to the printing press, books were painstakingly copied by hand, making mass production time-consuming and costly. With the printing press, multiple copies of a text could be printed quickly and accurately, leading to a significant increase in the availability and distribution of printed materials. This innovation played a crucial role in the spread of knowledge, literacy, and the dissemination of ideas during the Renaissance and beyond.