Alois Senefelder was a German playwright and inventor, best known for developing the printing technique called lithography. Born in 1771, he discovered this method by accident while trying to create a way to print his own works. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone surface with a greasy substance, which allows for the transfer of ink to paper, making it easier and cheaper to produce prints. Senefelder's invention revolutionized the world of printing and art, enabling artists and publishers to create high-quality images and texts. His work laid the foundation for modern printing techniques and influenced many famous artists, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Pablo Picasso.