When does the concept of space as three dimensional — that is, the notion and acknowledgement of three-dimensionality, became commonplace in the West?
What were the events that allowed for and spreaded this knowledge among "common folk"?
It happened in Painting during the Renaissance, and was kinda a big deal. Understanding the Renaissance from an Art History perspective might give you a greater appreciation for the answers you're looking for and is easily found.
Otherwise, I never fully understood why people trumpeted and marveled about 3 Dimensionality in the West. It never really happened that way in the East, and yet the East still has architectural marvels that predate the Renaissance.