The process involves carving a design into a wooden block, inking the raised surface, and then pressing the block onto paper or other textiles to transfer the image. This technique, originating in East Asia, allowed for the mass production of texts and images, significantly impacting the dissemination of knowledge and artistic expression.
Its importance stems from its role in democratizing access to information. Before its emergence, texts were primarily handwritten, making them expensive and rare. This innovation enabled the wider distribution of religious texts, philosophical ideas, and literary works, leading to increased literacy rates and intellectual exchange. The technology also played a vital part in the development of paper money and the spread of artistic styles across different regions. Furthermore, it laid the foundation for later printing technologies, like movable type.
