<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Lithography (from Ancient Greek λίθος, lithos, meaning' stone', and γράφειν, graphein, meaning' to write') is a method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water . The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a ball grained surface . It was invented in 1796 by German author and actor Alois Senefelder as a cheap method of publishing theatrical works . Lithography can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or other suitable material . </P> <P> Lithography originally used an image drawn with oil, fat, or wax onto the surface of a smooth, level lithographic limestone plate . The stone was treated with a mixture of acid and gum arabic, "etching" the grease content of the drawing material into the pores of the stone and chemically creating grease reservoirs . The open stone (without drawing) was affected by the gum arabic creating a thin gum layer that would then attract water . When the stone was subsequently moistened, these gummed areas retained water; an oil - based ink could then be applied with a roller sticking only to the original drawing . The ink would finally be transferred to a cotton fine art paper sheet, producing a printed page . This traditional technique is still used as a fine art medium today . </P>

Who invented lithography and what was its original purpose
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