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I knew about that but didn't think to include it has it wasn't widely used and lacked many important components. Not just the ink. A key advantage of Gutenberg's alloy was that it neither shrunk not expanded. That is what gave quick accurate duplication of types.

Wood cuts and bronze types were worth mentioning as they were widely used in China and Korea.

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Indeed, you are right, most innovations are more about timing and adoption rather than invention.

I think though that the point about shrinkage is the large change between casting and room temperatures (and maybe during pressing?); the differences in thermal coefficients (per degree) are significant but not that huge.

As for oil based inks-- that too was widely used in China-- for seals. In fact sealpressing and pressprinting is the same process, wouldnt you say? Have not found anything indicating the Chinese made that leap (en masse, of course).

Finally .. antimony is kind of the unsung hero here. Its the magic element that the Chinese didnt know about.

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