Spirit Of Inquiry Dbq

The Spirit of Inquiry Summative Essay

Curiosity led to advances that are still prominent in society today. During the 15th century, many inventors and scientists took interest in mathematics and science. Key figures include da Vinci, Gutenberg, and Galileo. The inventions and advancements made by these men allowed many improvements to be made in science and technology. Without Gutenberg’s printing press, books would not be as common as they are today. Additionally, da Vinci’s advancements in the anatomy of the human body allowed diseases to be treated more efficiently. The curiosity and inquiry of individuals years ago has continued to affect our lives today, based on their advancements in science and technology.

Galileo’s discoveries from

Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (Document-Based Question: Impact of the Renaissance) depicts what one can assume is the average male anatomy of the time. The drawing shows da Vinci’s improvements and advances on the human body. The detail also depicts how much time and effort had gone into effectively and efficiently studying the human body. Without a basic understanding of man, most diseases would not have been cured. The knowledge of the basic human anatomy aided doctors and scientists in curing numerous ailments and injuries. Study of Arms and Shoulders, by Leonardo da Vinci (Document-Based Question: Impact of the Renaissance) depicted is a detailed image of arms and shoulders. The muscles in the arms are prominent, which show how da Vinci discovered the components of the human body through exploration and inquiry. da Vinci invested his time into studying the human body, especially how the human arms and shoulders function. Without a basic knowledge of how muscles and limbs work, most injuries and diseases would be difficult to cure in modern times. da Vinci’s improvements in the human body allowed doctors to thoroughly explore the human anatomy. Without his detailed work, research would be more difficult, as would finding cures for diseases such as

“Also during this period, Johannes Gutenberg invented a functioning printing press that allowed books, including Bibles, to be printed at a faster rate thereby making them more available, cheaper, and accessible.” (The Church in Moral Crisis: Prelude to the Reformation) Gutenberg’s printing press allowed cultural diffusion to happen at a quicker rate. Cultures mixed and literature was spread quickly, allowing books like the Bible to be accessed easily. Without Gutenberg’s printing press, books would not be so common and the way learning in schools is today would change drastically. “Gutenberg 's printing technology quickly spread from Mainz to Subiaco in Italy (1465), Paris (1470), and London (1476). By the beginning of the 16th century, there were approximately 240 printing shops in Europe.” (The Spread of Printing). The amount of printing shops increased as the technology Gutenberg invented became more popular. Gutenberg’s invention was popular due to how it increased the availability of books in most cities and countries. If Gutenberg’s invention never spread, printing would not be as efficient as it is today. Gutenberg’s invention without a doubt made an impact on modern times. If Gutenberg did not have the desire to print faster and more efficiently, modern day inventions would not be as