The primary benefit of the invention of the printing press in the 15th century was the mass production of written texts, which dramatically increased access to information. Johannes Gutenberg's printing press, developed around 1440, revolutionized the way knowledge was disseminated. Before the press, books were laboriously copied by hand, making them expensive and rare. With the printing press, texts could be produced more quickly, leading to greater literacy rates and the spread of new ideas, especially during the Renaissance and Reformation periods. This technological advancement paved the way for significant cultural and social changes, ultimately shaping modern society.