Jang Yeong-sil

  • Korean: 蔣英實 (Jang Yeong-sil)

Jang Yeong-sil was a Korean scholar credited with developing many of the most significant technological innovations of the early Joseon Dynasty period.

Jang was the son of a Mongol Yuan Dynasty official and an entertainer. He served for a time as a local official in Dongnae, before being selected by King Sejong to serve as an envoy to China. After observing technologies in China, Jang returned to Korea and played a notable role in inventing several types of water clocks and astronomical devices, as well as sundials, moveable type, and printing presses. Several of these inventions are today considered National Treasures of Korea.

References

  • Gallery labels, The Story of King Sejong.[1]