<P> Some fifty pieces of printed matter have been found in Egypt printed between 900 and 1300 in black ink on paper by the rubbing method in the Chinese style . Although there is no transmission evidence, experts believe there is a connection . </P> <P> According to the print scholar A. Hyatt Mayor, "it was the Chinese who really discovered the means of communication that was to dominate until our age ." Both woodblock and movable type printing were replaced in the second half of the 19th century by western - style printing, initially lithography . </P> <P> Bi Sheng (毕 昇) (990--1051) developed the first known movable - type system for printing in China around 1040 AD during the Northern Song dynasty, using ceramic materials . As described by the Chinese scholar Shen Kuo (沈括) (1031--1095): </P> <Dl> <Dd> When he wished to print, he took an iron frame and set it on the iron plate . In this he placed the types, set close together . When the frame was full, the whole made one solid block of type . He then placed it near the fire to warm it . When the paste (at the back) was slightly melted, he took a smooth board and pressed it over the surface, so that the block of type became as even as a whetstone . </Dd> </Dl>

When did the chinese invent the printing press