Diderot did not invent the encyclopedia; the concept existed long before him. However, he played a crucial role in revolutionizing the encyclopedia by:
* Leading the project: He was the main editor and driving force behind the Encyclopédie, a monumental work that took over 20 years to complete.
* Envisioning a comprehensive work: The Encyclopédie aimed to compile all human knowledge, covering subjects from science and technology to religion, art, and philosophy.
* Promoting Enlightenment ideals: The Encyclopédie was a powerful tool for spreading Enlightenment ideas, challenging traditional authority, and promoting reason, progress, and social reform.
So, while not the inventor of the encyclopedia, Diderot's Encyclopédie had a profound impact on the world, making it a groundbreaking and influential work.