Why Was Movable Type So Revolutionary?

In the 15th century, an innovation enabled people to share knowledge more quickly and widely. Civilization never looked back. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and the invention of the mechanical movable type printing press helped disseminate knowledge wider and faster than ever before.

Why was the movable type so important?

In the 11th century movable type (one piece of type for each character) was invented. Movable type was never widely used in China because whole-block printing was less expensive, but when movable type reached Europe in the 15th century, it revolutionized the communication of ideas.

Why was moveable type so impactful?

Bi Sheng's movable type changed how ancient China printed its documents, making printing more efficient and easier. Instead of carving an entire book into one huge block, characters are carved into small clay blocks.