A printing process that uses a flat stone or metal plate on which the image to be printed is ink-receptive and the blank area ink-repellent. This technique allows for high-quality reproduction of images and text.
From Greek lithos (stone) + graphein (to write), literally meaning 'stone writing.' The term was coined in German as Lithographie in 1796 by inventor Alois Senefelder, then adopted into English via French lithographie in the early 19th century. The process involves drawing or writing on limestone with greasy materials, making it the literal embodiment of 'writing on stone.'
Lithography beautifully preserves the ancient connection between writing and physical surfaces! While we now think of writing as putting pen to paper, this 'stone writing' reminds us that humans have always sought permanent ways to record information. It's fascinating that photography, biography, and lithography all share this same 'writing' root — they're all different ways of capturing and preserving reality.
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