Woodblock printing first appeared in the early Tang period. During the Song Dynasty, the technique of block printing was very advanced. Books were (beautiful) printed. Even today the books (print) at the time are valuable and treasured by libraries and book collectors.
However, block printing (be) not very convenient. Every two pages of a book had to be carved on a woodblock, and a big book would require many blocks. Besides, there had to be large places for storing the books. (overcome) these shortcomings, Bi Sheng invented the movable type during the years between 1041 and 1048. One word was carved on one piece of clay, was hardened with fire. Then clay characters were set on iron plate according to the text of a book. Then ink was applied to them and (sheet) of paper were spread over them, and the printing was done. Bi Sheng's invention made printing faster and easier before. Later, the movable type of metal and wood was made and widely used.
The technique of printing was gradually known to other Asian countries and Europe. The great influence printing had the advance of civilization is too clear to need any (explain).
