What are some of the most important inventions from the Middle Age?

What are some of the most important inventions from the Middle Age?

Far from being a period of little to no technological progress, the Middle Ages had its fair share of new inventions, like any other period of history.

These 18 medieval inventions and how they made it to Europe are prime examples. Some of them were so important that they would ultimately pave the way to certain aspects of the world we live in.

The following list is far from exhaustive and in no particular order.

1. The Printing press was revolutionary

The printing press may well be the most important invention of the medieval era. It would eventually wrench control of information distribution from the State and the Church and lay the groundwork for Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment.

Although Johannes Guttenberg's famous press was developed in the 15th century, the movable type system can be traced in history back to around 1040, in China. Without it, the modern world would be a very different place indeed.