Many people believe European named Johannes Gatlinburg invented the printing press however getting their press was actually building on the inventions that appeared centuries earlier in China
That is correct. While Johannes Gutenberg is often credited with inventing the printing press in Europe in the 15th century, the concept and techniques of printing actually originated in China much earlier.
Chinese inventions such as block printing and movable type printing had been in use during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) in China. Block printing involved carving texts or images onto wooden blocks, which were then inked and pressed onto paper or silk. Movable type printing involved creating individual characters that could be arranged and rearranged to form different texts.
These Chinese printing techniques spread to neighboring countries like Korea and Japan, and eventually made their way to Europe via trade routes like the Silk Road. It is believed that Johannes Gutenberg was indeed aware of these Asian techniques and drew inspiration from them when he developed his own printing press in the 15th century.
Gutenberg's innovation was the invention of a practical metal movable type system in Europe, which greatly enhanced the efficiency and speed of printing. His press incorporated a combination of existing technologies and his own adaptations, allowing for the mass production of books and other printed materials.
Therefore, while Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized the European printing industry, it is important to recognize that its foundations and early developments can be traced back to China.