Woodblock printing greatly expanded who could access information because it made the mass production of texts possible. Before its invention, books and written materials were copied by hand, which was time-consuming, expensive, and limited to wealthy elites, religious institutions, and scholars. Woodblock printing allowed for faster and cheaper reproduction of texts, spreading literature, religious works, and knowledge to new audiences, including the lower classes who previously had little access to books. This technology helped stimulate literacy, education, and cultural exchange by making information more widely available beyond the few who controlled handwritten manuscripts.

Effects on Information Accessibility

• Woodblock printing originated in China around the 7th century and was widely used through East Asia.
• It enabled the serial production of books and documents, drastically reducing the cost and labor needed to reproduce texts.
• Published materials began to circulate more broadly in marketplaces and academic settings.
• As a result, knowledge was no longer tightly controlled by nobility, monasteries, or universities but became accessible to merchants, artisans, and eventually the general public.

Democratization of Knowledge

• The printing process helped stimulate literacy because more books could be printed and sold affordably.
• This contributed to increased education opportunities and social mobility among wider populations.
• Printed materials could spread cultural, scientific, and religious ideas across regions and social classes.
• The impact was significant enough to be seen as a revolutionary factor in shaping society and fostering innovation.

In summary, woodblock printing changed access to information by making printed materials more numerous, cheaper, and accessible to a broader segment of society beyond elites, fueling increases in literacy, education, and cultural diffusion.