The Renaissance was a Golden Age for science and technology. Watches, advanced mining techniques and new instruments of war all emerged during this period. In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus declared that the Earth revolved around the sun, creating a new world view in the process. Advances in the fields of geography, cartography and navigation paved the way for long voyages across the oceans: in 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered America; in 1498, Vasco da Gama found a direct sea route from Europe to India; and from 1519 to 1522, Ferdinand Magellan led the first circumnavigation of the globe. These seafaring explorers conquered new lands and brought riches back to Europe on newly established trade routes, which led to increased prosperity across the continent, even among common people.
The invention of the movable-type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg was one of the key technological advances of the time. In 1455, he used it to produce the Gutenberg Bible. Texts could now be printed much faster and cheaper and in far larger volumes, giving the aspiring middle-classes greater access to education and knowledge. "The printed word has power", said Martin Luther, who recognized the huge importance of printing for the success of the Reformation. His and other reformers' views were reproduced in thousands of pamphlets that circulated among the people.
