Wang Zhen

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Wang Zhen

Photo of Wang Zhen. [Photo/taian.gov.cn]

Wang Zhen (1271-1368) was an agronomist in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1386) and the inventor of wooden movable type. He was once a professor in Tai'an and attached great importance to his education. He authored the Book of Agriculture (《农书》), which served as a nationwide summary of agricultural production. The Book of Agriculture was the first book printed with wooden movable type. He also contributed a lot to the development of smelting technology.