Johannes Gutenberg was a German inventor best known for introducing printing to Europe with his mechanical movable type printing press around 1440. This innovation revolutionized the production of books, making them more accessible and affordable, which significantly contributed to the spread of knowledge and literacy during the Renaissance. Gutenberg's most famous printed work is the Gutenberg Bible, completed in 1455. His printing techniques laid the foundation for the modern publishing industry and played a crucial role in the dissemination of ideas, including those of the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution.