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The most important person ever to live? That's easy: Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (c. 1400 February 3, 1468)

Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press in 1439. Prior to this books and manuscripts had to be copied and recopied by hand - a labor intensive task which meant that only the rich and patient could get their hands on books. Gutenberg's press allowed for mass creation and distribution of reading materials and many believe that this kicked off what would become the Renaissance.

Now, it's true that someone else probably would have thought it up later. Somebody else would have eventually thought up something - but the fact is, they didn't. He did. This single man - this individual - took knowledge and made it affordable and accessible to everyone. Without the printing press, far fewer people would know about Jesus (who many claim should top this list). The works of Shakespeare might likely have died not long after their initial performance. Darwin's theories would have languished in his head and in a few notebooks. There would be no magazines, no comic books, no Stephen King novels, no internet... Even down to something as simple as the way countries print money or your pay stub has his hand in there.

Look around you... right now, where you sit. Do you see anything printed? Anything at all? This one man's influence is felt in every corner of the globe, in every home, on every street corner. The far reaching implications of his invention has touched and continues to touch more people to this day than any religious leader, politician or scientist - because they need the fruits of his invention to be who they are and get their message out.

Johannes Gutenberg is the most important person that ever lived. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Learn more about this author, Eric P Schwartz.
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