1040 CE
Bi Sheng Invents Movable Type
About this moment
Bi Sheng (972–1051) was a Chinese artisan and engineer during the Song dynasty (960–1279), who invented the world's first movable type. Bi's system used fired clay tiles, one for each Chinese character, and was invented between 1039 and 1048. Printing was one of the Four Great Inventions.
People
- Bi Sheng · 990 CE – 1052 CE