Many people believe a European named Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. However, Gutenberg’s press was actually building on inventions that appeared centuries earlier in China.

Question

Is this compare and contrast or something else if so what?

Answer 1

The passage you've provided primarily falls into the category of contrast. It highlights the common misconception about Johannes Gutenberg being the sole inventor of the printing press while contrasting this belief with the historical fact that similar inventions existed in China centuries earlier. The focus is on clarifying and contrasting two different perspectives regarding the origins of the printing press.

In a broader context, while it touches on elements of comparison (comparing Gutenberg's invention to earlier Chinese inventions), the emphasis is more on the difference in recognition and historical attribution, making it largely a contrasting statement.