The major technological breakthrough of the period was the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Renaissance scientists included Nicolaus Copernicus, who revolutionized man's view of the universe by proposing that the earth revolves around the sun; and the astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei, who discovered laws of moving bodies.
The Renaissance witnessed a major religious reformation, in which the supremacy of the Pope and the Catholic church were challenged. John Calvin and Martin Luther emerged as leaders of this popular movement, and both went on to establish Protestant churches in Europe.
The arts saw a profusion of talented painters and sculptors. During the Renaissance, the status of the artist was raised from trained craftsman to creative thinker. This was due mainly to the brilliance of such artists as Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael.
