Renaissance theorists felt that they were embarking on a glorious new time period, parting from an era they regarded as "the dark ages". These thinkers deemed that they would not only revitalize the wonders of the ancient past, but would exceed them. Supporting this conviction was the development of new artistic techniques, architectural styles, philosophies and educational practices, which extended throughout Europe. Scholars and historians now recognize that the groundwork for these outstanding accomplishments were already apparent in medieval Europe.
Although the Renaissance did not make a complete separation from the previous era, three epic discoveries transpired that impacted the road to the modern era. The invention of movable type produced the world's first printing press and first printed book. The famous Gutenberg Bible, created by Johannes Gutenberg between 1450 and 1455, was the world's first published book. Prior to the printing press, all books were written out entirely by hand, making them costly and rare. Given the expense of books, most people could not afford to learn to read. With the advent of the printing press, books became more affordable leading to the expansion of education throughout Europe. Another important accomplishment of the Renaissance was the European involvement in voyages of exploration. Many products such as spices, silk and other goods from Asia brought great value to the markets in Europe. Explorers were always looking for new and better routes to Asia and other parts of the world. .
Christopher Columbus intended his first voyage in 1492 to reach Japan, but instead came ashore on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Even though he was not the first explorer to reach the Americas (he was preceded by Lief Ericson), Columbus' expeditions created the initial lasting connection between Europe and the Americas. This had monumental influence on the growth of the modern Western world and changes in Christianity.
