[NativeSon]

I agree with you, 100%. Our alphabet, most important "invention", then the printing press.

Easy to learn to read & write, easy to mass produce.

[Neoliberalnot]

The Basilica, largest Catholic Church in the world built some 500 years ago. The stunning architecture, the craftsmanship, the genius to build it without much in the way of mechanical equipment.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Paper is the most important invention, then the phonetic alphabet and then the printing press.

Once the Romans lost control of Egypt and the paper industry literacy declined.

Even lacking the printing press the Romans had wide spread literacy and even mass market fiction best sellers because they had a cheap and abundant supply of paper.

The printing press was greatly aided by the fact that the concept of "rag paper" had been imported from China giving the printers once again a cheap and abundant supply of paper.