Case 9 · Founder Lifetime · Inventions
The invention of printing: Who first printed with movable type?
In the app: “Who Invented Printing?”
Mainz, Germany · 1040s to 1517
Why this question matters
Printing with movable type has more than one origin story. A Chinese scholar's written account, a surviving Korean book and the Gutenberg Bible each add part of the picture. The case is about giving credit accurately when an idea appears in different places and in different forms.
The case briefing
Many books name Gutenberg, but there are earlier clues in China and Korea. Match each invention to its time and place, then decide who gets credit for what.
The evidence
The exhibits in this case. Their full details open in the app.
- Made at the timec. 1088
Shen Kuo's Dream Pool Essays
- Made at the time1377
Jikji
- Made at the timec. 1455
The Gutenberg Bible
- Written laterModern catalogue
The record of early printing
How the investigation works
After the briefing and exhibits, you complete three steps. Every answer is explained, and the verdict lists the sources.
- 1
Chronology
Put the events back in order, oldest first. BC and AD are handled correctly, and there is no year zero.
- 2
Time and place
Match discoveries and events to where and when they happened, without inventing precision.
- 3
Supported conclusions
Sort claims into supported, going beyond the evidence, or contradicted. Every answer explains why.
What is still unknown
Whether any knowledge of Asian printing reached Europe is unknown.
Sources
Case content last checked 2026-10-13. Not reviewed by an independent historian. Found an error? Tell us.
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