Step-by-step explanation:
No, Bi Sheng did not invent movable type printing presses. The invention of movable type printing presses is attributed to Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, in the 15th century.
However, Bi Sheng, a Chinese artisan, made significant contributions to the development of printing technology during ancient China's history. Bi Sheng is known for his invention of a different printing technique called "clay movable type."
During the 11th century, Bi Sheng created individual characters out of clay and baked them. Each character represented a single Chinese character or symbol. These clay characters could be arranged and rearranged to form complete texts, similar to movable type.
While Bi Sheng's clay movable type was an innovative printing method, it had some limitations. The clay type was fragile and prone to breakage, making it less durable and efficient compared to later innovations like Gutenberg's metal movable type.
Bi Sheng's contribution to printing technology in ancient China was significant in terms of experimenting with movable type concepts. However, Gutenberg's invention of the metal movable type printing press in Europe during the 15th century is considered the breakthrough that revolutionized printing on a larger scale and had a more profound impact on the history of printing.