I recently informally polled my Facebook friends asking what is the most important invention in history. I received a lot of good answers. While technically not an invention, several mentioned electricity. That discovery and the ability to harness it have produced great progress for our lives.
Still others mentioned conveniences like air conditioning and indoor plumbing. Those too, especially air conditioning in the South, have become near necessities. Some of my most practical friends cited the flushable toilet and toilet paper as the most important inventions. I find it difficult to argue with them on that invention.
My Opinion
I, along with several others, believe the printing press is the most important invention in history. While other crude movable type machines were in existence, Johannes Gutenberg is credited with inventing the first printing press.
Since the days of Gutenberg, the art of printing has evolved into a high-tech venture. We went from press to mimeograph to photocopy to digital. We now have the ability to produce a real object through 3-D printing technology.
Without the printing press, we would have no Sunday bulletin. Baptists would not be able to worship without it. I’m surprised no resolution has been offered at “The Convention” declaring Gutenberg the 4th person in the Trinity.
Of course, I jest, picking on my fellow Baptists. But seriously, the printing press has done much to help us advance the Gospel. There is much debate these days about the removal of hymnals from worship services. Without the printing press that debate would not exist. Somehow the 1st century church managed to thrive without them. And pews, and air conditioning. And Sunday bulletins.
Those who considered indoor plumbing and the toilet the most important invention, with Gutenberg what would you read in there?
But I digress.
Making the Most of Invention
In 1452, Gutenberg printed only one book in his print shop – the Bible. Today, the most important product of the printing press is the availability of the Bible to anyone wishing to read it. I just counted 38 copies of the Bible on my office shelf. That doesn’t include probably about a dozen in my home. Fifty copies of the Bible. Impossible had Gutenberg not invented the printing press.
And I could count the hundreds of Bibles available to me online and on my various Bible study apps. Those would not exist had the earlier mass production of the hard copies not happened. We have MORE ACCESS to the Word of God today than ever. All precipitated by Gutenberg’s invention.
Electricity, HVAC, cars, and especially indoor plumbing have changed the world as we know it. But nothing has changed the world like the Word of God.
But the question remains, are YOU making the most of Gutenberg’s invention? You may read a lot, but do you read God’s Word regularly and systematically? Do you have a Bible reading and Bible study plan that you follow most days? Don’t fail to maximize Gutenberg’s hard work and invention. Pick up a Bible and read it. Once you read it, heed it.
Below are some links to articles with ideas to help you get started or to enhance what you already do.