The pamphlet was the Reformation’s greatest ally. Earlier movements depended on the reformer’s personal charisma and physical presence and were easily suppressed by the Church. When Luther appeared in 1517, the printing press had been in existence for half a century. A network of printing presses in numerous German cities supplied the market with inexpensive books and pamphlets. Printed material allowed the reformers to disseminate their ideas to a wide audience. People could read or ponder on complicated issues alone or with friends. Even those who were illiterate could guess at the contents of a work from the illustrative material.