<P> The explosion of the print culture , which started in the 15th century with Johannes Gutenberg 's printing press , was both a result of and a cause of the increase in literacy . The number of books published in the period of the Enlightenment increased dramatically due to the increase in demand for books , which resulted from the increased literacy rates and the declining cost and easier availability of books made possible by the printing press . There was a shift in the percentages of books printed in various categories during the 17th century . </P>
<P> The explosion of the print culture , which started in the 15th century with Johannes Gutenberg 's printing press , was both a result of and a cause of the increase in literacy . The number of books published in the period of the Enlightenment increased dramatically due to the increase in demand for books , which resulted from the increased literacy rates and the declining cost and easier availability of books made possible by the printing press . There was a shift in the percentages of books printed in various categories during the 17th century . </P>
who developed a method of printing that greatly stimulated the growth of literacy
who developed a method of printing that greatly stimulated the growth of literacy
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg