The invention of the printing press, particularly by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, played a crucial role in the spread of the Reformation. The printing press allowed for the rapid reproduction of texts, including Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which critiqued the Catholic Church’s practices. This accessibility to printed materials enabled Reformation ideas to reach a broader audience quickly and efficiently, undermining the Church's control over religious thought. As a result, the Reformation gained momentum, leading to significant changes in Christianity and contributing to the rise of various Protestant denominations across Europe.