Earlier invention of lithography

Lithography was one of those accidental inventions of the 18th century that could've been done much earlier. I mean it's just limestone, grease ink, and water. Compared to the printing press, this is a cheap process which can reproduce detailed and colorful illustrations in addition to text.

If this was adopted earlier, not only would it advance the spread of literacy, but technical illustrations and artistic drawings would also be made cheaply available.
 
Bump?

I find it interesting that the Islamic world didn't adopt printing dispite having highly sophisticated paper industry. Mass printing only arrived in the Islamic world through lithography.
 
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=139358

I didn't get much. Though the typo in the title may have effect that. :eek:

I think the problem is most people don't know what lithography is. If I said WI the Romans get the printing press earlier people know what that implies.

Lithography is another printing technology that's cheaper than the Gutenburg printing press and older block printing, but have some superior print qualities not achievable by either.

The literacy revolution caused by the Gutenburg printing press could have been enabled by the simpler lithograph, and we would have mass printing of Da Vinci's technical illustrations as well. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
 
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