Which invention in the 15th century is often linked to the start of modernity?

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century, attributed to Johannes Gutenberg, is often considered a pivotal moment in the onset of modernity due to its profound impact on society, culture, and the dissemination of knowledge. The printing press revolutionized the way information was shared, making written material more accessible and affordable. This democratization of knowledge played a crucial role in the spread of new ideas during the Renaissance and the Reformation, challenging established authorities and enabling a more literate public.

With the ability to mass-produce books, including religious texts like the Bible, the printing press significantly diminished the control previously held by the Church and other institutions over what information was disseminated. This increase in literacy and critical thinking fostered an environment ripe for scientific inquiry, political change, and philosophical developments, which are hallmarks of modernity.

While other inventions like the steam engine and the compass contributed to advancements in technology and exploration, they did not initiate the same level of societal transformation regarding knowledge and communication. The telegraph, developed later in the 19th century, further advanced communication, but it was the printing press that fundamentally altered the landscape of the written word and sparked the intellectual movements that define modernity.