In previous history, movable type printing was invented by Bi Sheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (Bi Sheng and Bi Sheng were not the same person), but it was not popularized in the end.
The reasons are divided into two aspects: software and hardware.
In terms of software, the number of commonly used characters in Chinese fonts is about 7,000. When arranging letterpress, it is necessary to set up a sequence font library, which is inconvenient. In Latin and English, the number of letters is only 26 (excluding special fonts), which is relatively It's much more convenient.
In terms of hardware, the clay movable type printing invented by Bi Sheng has a short service life of the type block material and requires high pressure control.
In comparison, the movable lead type printing invented in 1445 not only improved the printing machine, but also adjusted the formula of ink and type blocks. As the inventor, the German craftsman Johannes Gutenberg truly made movable type printing a reality. The first person to introduce this technique to the world.
In the 2015 "Time" supplement, in the "ranking of the top ten inventions from the 10th to the 20th century AD", movable lead printing was ranked first, even higher than Edison's electric light and Einstein's theory of relativity. (Don’t criticize this ranking, just take a look.)
On the other hand, Todd's major is life engineering. In World of Warcraft terms: his microbiology and biochemistry are close to the master level, and his applied chemistry and chemical engineering are close to the master level. His knowledge of other subjects may not be the same as that of ordinary people. the difference.
Lead movable type printing is mainly divided into four basic elements: printing materials, ink, type modules, and printing presses.
So, for Todd:
The printing materials are mainly linen paper or parchment paper, which are readily available and easy to solve.
Ink is not difficult to obtain and only involves some simple chemical reactions and refining. Specifically, boil linseed oil and cool it, then add a small amount of turpentine obtained by distilling pine resin, mix it with carbon black and add copper. Lead and sulfur become suitable inks after being left for a period of time. This ink can be applied to metal molds that do not touch water on the surface, and will not cause penetration, which is the most critical element of lead movable type printing.
As for the type module, it is not difficult to make. Todd plans to use lead-tin alloy containing antimony (adding antimony can improve the hardness of the movable type) as the material of the type block, and tries to determine the ratio of the three metal contents. And casting The method is to use the method of convex and concave grooves, that is, use fine sand or clay as the concave shape, and the convex shape is made of wood. First carve the wooden movable type and stamp it in the clay, then take out the wooden block, and then add the melted lead and tin into the water. Pour it into a clay mold, and finally take it out and trim it, and you will get lead movable type.
The most troublesome thing is the printing press, because Todd doesn't know how to make this thing at all...
He only vaguely remembered that there was a paper feed slot, something that looked like a large seal, a word block platform slot, and a stick that could be pushed...
With these vague impressions, he drew a design sketch that made him want to slap himself once he looked at it, and gave it to Aiden Colm.
Todd knew that it would be an almost impossible task to perfectly recreate the movable lead printing press of the 15th century on his own.
Therefore, he asked old Aiden to bring the most familiar and reliable craftsmen with the drawings. At the same time, he also found Rachel, who was more familiar with alien abilities, and hoped that she would help him build the printing press.
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Soon, in the side hall of the church that night, a group of seemingly unrelated people sat together.
On the left side of the side hall sat Aiden Colm and the two craftsmen whose lives were saved by Todd. On the right sat Rachel and Huggins. Todd stood on the stage with a piece of paper behind him.
The wooden board stood upright and a piece of charcoal was held in his hand.
Todd tapped the wooden board behind him with a charcoal pen and said, "Everyone, we are gathered here today to make something and have a brainstorming session."
"Brainstorming?" People in the audience looked puzzled and started talking in low voices.
Todd patted his forehead with his hand and thought to himself that the habit of being a teacher in his previous life was back again. He changed his mind and said, "Brainstorming means brainstorming, and everyone works together to come up with ideas."
Todd pointed his finger at the ceiling, and the expression on his face suddenly became extremely serious: "What we are discussing tonight is a treasure like God. You must not tell others what you hear or see, otherwise you will
Punished by the Holy Spirit!”
Seeing that everyone's expressions suddenly became solemn, he nodded with satisfaction, and then began to write and draw on the wooden board with charcoal pen. He talked about the basic principles of printing to the machine functions, and focused on explaining the arrangement of character blocks and embossing ink.
process.
After telling all this, Todd turned around and found that the crowd in the audience was silent. He couldn't help but murmur in his heart: Did he speak too complicatedly?
Fortunately, old Aiden's words made him dispel his worries.
"Sir, using movable lead type to print paper is a genius idea! People copy by hand and have never thought that fonts can be printed like this."
After listening to Aiden's words, Todd remembered that it seemed that in his previous life, it was not until the end of the 13th century that engraving printing was introduced from Arabia to Europe. In other words, the wood engraving plate, copper engraving plate, wood movable type, and clay movable type were skipped.
Modern printing method, lead movable type printing is indeed a product that transcends centuries.
Todd asked Aiden: "So, can you come up with the design plan for the machine I require?"
The old craftsman discussed in a low voice with his two friends and said: "We have carefully looked at your drawings and plan to design such a machine. Is it correct? We plan to make a wooden base at the bottom of the machine.
The movable type plate is fixed on it, and the impression plate is installed on the movable type plate. The impression plate can be controlled by an iron or copper screw rod and can be moved up or down..."
Todd listened to the other party's speech, but still felt that he had no intuitive impression. He interrupted Aiden's speech, waved his hand, handed the charcoal to the old man in front of him, and said: "You put it this way, I still don't understand...
…You come up here, draw the specific design plan, and then explain it.”
After hearing this, the old craftsman was so frightened that he quickly shook his hands and said quickly: "Sir, please don't humiliate me. I am just a humble craftsman. With you here, how dare I make a mistake?!"
"As I said, tonight's meeting is a brainstorming... Well, I mean brainstorming. Here, there is no hierarchy, no position, anyone who has an idea can come on stage and speak it out, or draw it out!
"Todd shook the charcoal pen in his hand again, signaling Old Aiden to come up quickly.
The old man took the charcoal, watched Todd sit down in his seat, and began to draw on the wooden board tremblingly. During this period, he drew the wrong pattern several times because of his nervousness.
Todd's eyes became brighter and brighter as he looked at the machine design on the wooden board.
The old craftsman said in a trembling voice while drawing: "There is a pull rod next to the screw rod, which can be pushed by manpower, so that the pressure required for printing can be obtained. Then brush the ink on the movable type plate, and then lay it on paper.
, shake the screw position rod, and the writing will be printed through the pressure of the printing plate."
Todd stood up at this time, couldn't help but applaud, and praised loudly: "That's great! In such a short time, you can actually come up with such a perfect design!"
Aiden was not greedy for credit, he pointed his finger at another craftsman: "He was the first to come up with this design."
Seeing the priest turn his attention to himself, the latter quickly stood up, bent down and said, "Sir, I used to work in a winery. I found that the grape-pressing machine was very similar to this design, and that's when I remembered it.
"
Todd was very happy and said loudly: "Everyone, this is what I call brainstorming! After all, one person's wisdom and power are limited, and everyone thinking together is the fastest way to solve the problem..."
"Sir..." Aiden looked hesitant.
Todd signaled to him to say what he had to say without any worries.
The old craftsman pointed to the loading platform, bearings and counterweight rods of the machine: "If these parts are made by hand, the fit and level of the parts cannot be guaranteed. Making them requires high-temperature stamping and forging. And in the blacksmith shop in the town,
There is no such device."
"Press forging?"
Listening to the old craftsman's introduction, Todd remembered the lathe in his previous life.
Old Aiden looked at the drawings on the wooden board and scratched the back of his head: "First, the temperature of the furnace must be high enough to melt the iron; second, we must find a way to build a vertical tool for hammering the iron; third, we must first
Make a mold to shape the part.”
High temperatures that can melt iron, heavy objects that can beat materials, and molds that shape parts.
Todd was thinking about these three things when Huggins behind him whispered something.
"As for the high temperature that can melt iron, Alfonso's retainer, Leslie, should be able to help."
Todd nodded.
Regarding the latter two things, he suddenly had an idea and turned his attention to Rachel.
The nun rolled her eyes and sighed: "I can do the last two things. But can you guarantee that these craftsmen are trustworthy people?"
Todd was stunned.
After hearing what the nun said, Aiden Colm's old face turned red and he refuted loudly: "What are these words! Without the Holy Son, I am just a poor person who can't even eat enough to eat. I should be grateful as a human being.
Picture report! Not to mention my two old friends! Even their lives were given by adults!"
Todd glanced at Huggins again, who nodded slightly.
Then he thought for a moment, touched the bridge of his nose, and said to Aiden and the other two craftsmen: "Have you ever heard of alien species?"
Aiden shrank his head, looked at the cross on his chest and said, "I heard people say that those people are the 'posthumous sons of the devil'."
"Old Aiden, can you trust me?"
"Of course, you are the Son protected by the Father! You are also an alchemist blessed by God!"
Todd winked, signaled Huggins to close the doors and windows of the side hall, gathered the three craftsmen together, and whispered: "There are some things you may not know. Alien species are not what the church says..."