Was it? As late as the 18th century, European visitors to China kept remarking on how cheap books were there and how many people had them. Movable type was su

Was it? As late as the 18th century, European visitors to China kept remarking on how cheap books were there and how many people had them. Movable type was suitable for the Greek and Latin alphabets, but not for Chinese characters or Arabic flowing script. The Chinese had great success with woodblock printing.