The oldest surviving book printed with movable metal type is Korean, not German

Printed in 1377 at a Korean Buddhist temple, 'Jikji' used movable metal type 78 years before Gutenberg's press appeared in Europe. Its one surviving volume was taken to France in the early 1900s and now sits in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, recognised by UNESCO as a Memory of the World.

— Compiled by the monk Baegun, Jikji — printed at Heungdeoksa temple, 1377

One credited idea per card. No filler. Swipe the rest in Savvy.

Keep swiping — it's free Works right in your browser. No app store needed.

More History

All History cards →

Five ideas worth knowing, every week

The week's best cards and a puzzle, credited as always. Free, unsubscribe any time.