When we think of printing, one name immediately comes to mind: Gutenberg. But this association hides a far richer, more complex, and global story than what is typically told in Western narratives. In The Hidden History of Printing, Léwis Verdun takes us back to the deep roots of a technology that revolutionized the way knowledge is transmitted. Through a clear and well-documented narrative, he reveals the innovations that came from Asia, the transformative effects of printing in early modern Europe, and its ongoing evolution in the digital and ecological era.

This article draws inspiration from his book to explore a broader and essential question: how does technological innovation shape the way societies produce, share, and preserve knowledge over time? By revisiting the overlooked milestones of printing, we shed light on a critical truth: the evolution of written communication is always tied to cultural, economic, and political dynamics — and this remains true today with 3D printing, sustainable inks, and digital dematerialization.

A Western Invention? Printing Has Much Older Roots

Most history textbooks place the invention of printing around 1450, with Gutenberg’s printing press. However, as Léwis Verdun clearly shows, the real history is much older — and much more global. In China, woodblock printing was already practiced as early as the 7th century, particularly for reproducing Buddhist sutras. In Korea, movable metal type was in use by 1234, with remarkable achievements such as the Jikji, printed in 1377 — 78 years before Gutenberg.

Why are these facts so little known? Because the history of technology has long been written from a Eurocentric perspective, often ignoring non-Western contributions. Yet these early developments laid the groundwork for a printing revolution long before it arrived in Europe. Verdun’s goal is to restore this forgotten timeline by highlighting the depth and diversity of Asian printing traditions.

Acknowledging these roots also helps us better understand the different paths that printing technology followed depending on the cultural context. While Europe used the printing press to spread the Bible and support the Reformation, Asia deployed it to preserve and transmit Buddhist knowledge.

Printing as a Force for Social and Economic Transformation

While the early Asian history of printing is often overlooked, its impact in Europe is widely recognized — and for good reason. With the rise of modern printing, knowledge moved from monasteries to cities, universities, and marketplaces. This marked a radical shift that influenced religion (the Protestant Reformation), science (the dissemination of works by Copernicus, Galileo, Newton), and economics (the rise of newspapers, technical manuals, and advertising).

Printing played a major role in shaping modern Europe by promoting literacy, language standardization, and the rapid circulation of ideas. It’s no coincidence that the great intellectual and political revolutions of the modern era coincided with the growth of the printing press.

Verdun also points out that this transformation did not stop in the 19th century. With industrialization came new processes like offset printing, rotary presses, and photogravure, allowing for the mass production of books, newspapers, and educational materials — once again expanding the social impact of the printed word.

From Ancient Asia to 3D Printing: A Technology in Constant Evolution

Today, printing is undergoing yet another major transformation. Digital formats, print-on-demand services, paperless technologies, and especially 3D printing, are reshaping how we relate to text, images, and even physical objects.

Verdun devotes part of his book to recent innovations such as eco-friendly inks, printed metamaterials, and zero-waste printing processes, which continue the legacy of rapid information sharing while addressing growing environmental concerns. This convergence of technology and sustainability opens up a whole new field of possibilities.

Nowadays, we’re not only printing books — we’re printing homes, medical prosthetics, and electronic circuits. The scope of printing has expanded to include additive manufacturing, where the goal is no longer simply to replicate text but to materialize ideas.

In this sense, printing remains a revolutionary force. It continues to evolve in response to societal needs, just as it did centuries ago. The question is no longer whether it is obsolete, but where it is heading next.

Practical Guide: How to Rethink Our Technological Heritage Today

To better understand the current challenges and possibilities surrounding printing and knowledge sharing, here are some key reference points inspired by the book:

Milestones in Global Printing History
7th century: Early woodblock printing in China
1234: Movable metal type in Korea
1377: Jikji, the first book printed with movable type
1450: Gutenberg’s press in Germany
19th century: Industrial printing (rotary presses, offset)
21st century: 3D printing, green printing, print-on-demand

Questions for Education and Cultural Debate
Why has the traditional Western narrative overlooked Asian origins of printing?
Did printing democratize knowledge or standardize thought?
Can we still talk about the "book" in the age of digital reading and additive manufacturing?
How can we balance rapid information distribution with environmental responsibility?

To Explore, Read, or Visit
The Jikji, housed at the National Library of France
UNESCO’s virtual exhibit on the history of printing
Ongoing research on printed metamaterials at leading technical universities

What makes The Hidden History of Printing so powerful is that it doesn’t merely correct the historical record — it invites readers to reflect more deeply on our relationship with technology, knowledge, and the narratives we create about progress. Written in a clear, engaging style and backed by reliable sources, Léwis Verdun places printing back at the heart of cultural and social transformations — past, present, and future.

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