manuscriptsbecame

The term "manuscripts became" refers to the historical transition of written works from being exclusively handwritten to their mass production through printing technology. Before the invention of the printing press, books and documents were painstakingly copied by hand, usually by scribes. This process was slow, expensive, and prone to errors, making manuscripts rare and accessible only to a select few, such as scholars, clergy, and the wealthy.

The advent of Gutenberg's printing press in the mid-15th century marked a revolutionary shift. This technology allowed for the rapid and relatively inexpensive reproduction of texts. As a result, books and other written materials became far more widespread. This democratization of knowledge had profound societal impacts, fueling the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution by enabling the faster dissemination of ideas and information. The shift from "manuscripts became" printed works signifies a monumental change in human communication and the accessibility of learning.