Moveable-type+printing

Invented during the Song Dynasty, movable-type printing was the catalyst that improved Chinese literacy before any other civilization. I n mid-11th century, Bi Sheng was an artisan who created the movable-type. While block printing was already invented, movable type was an ingenious invention that could be reused many times (rather than a personalized printing block). Written records and scholarly books were produced quicker and more easily. Because the Chinese already invented paper during the Han era, they quickly surpassed all competitive civilizations in education and literacy, with the invention of the  movable-type, during the Tong and Song Eras.

http://www.isrl.uiuc.edu/~chip/projects/timeline/1045bisheng.htm

http://big5.cgan.net/english/english/cpg/engcp20.htm


 * __Bi Sheng__**

Created by Christina Oelsner 10/10/08