Mechanical reproduction refers to the process of creating copies of artworks or other objects using machines. This technique allows for the mass production of images, music, and texts, making them more accessible to a wider audience. The invention of technologies like the printing press and photography has significantly changed how art and information are distributed. One of the key implications of mechanical reproduction is the loss of the original's uniqueness. When an artwork is reproduced, it can lose its aura, or the special quality that comes from being an original piece. This concept was notably discussed by Walter Benjamin in his essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction."