Paper’s invention was a revolutionary breakthrough. Following the invention of paper in 105 CE, forms of communication, learning, and record-keeping were drastically simplified. We track its rich history from ancient civilizations to the present day.
What Materials Did People Use Before Paper?
The first instance occurred around 3200 BCE by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia. Their written language, called cuneiform, evolved from pictographs to characters scraped on clay tablets. The Sumerians recorded all aspects of their civilization. Thousands of cuneiform tablets still exist today. Despite their durability, clay tablets are hard to make.
The papyrus plant of ancient Egypt, known for many uses, evolved to become writing material around 3000 BCE. Found both wild and grown by the Egyptians, papyrus’s lightweight and flexibility proved easier to work with than the blocky clay tablets. Papyrus grew readily in Egypt’s hot climate, sometimes two to three feet a month, and thus, it is very available for use. Papyrus’s use spread to Greece and Rome, slowly emerging as the primary writing material.
Papyrus, while popular, had competition despite obvious advantages. Papyrus grew in Egypt. So importation would be costly, making papyrus a luxury item. Vellum, made primarily from calf hide, produced locally reduced papyrus’s dominance.
Vellum’s differences became clear when compared to papyrus. First came durability as vellum lasted longer, folded easier, and stood up to weather changes. Writing on vellum in Roman and medieval times showed the document’s importance. These documents, scrolls, and books lasted centuries. More importantly, the vellum’s smoother surface allowed for better writing and art. Many medieval illuminated manuscripts used vellum over papyrus, among these being the Celtic Book of Kells.
Vellum’s local production versus papyrus’s importance came into play. Other hides used included goat and sheepskin. The most important pro for vellum came from re-use-it could be scraped and cleaned. Modern imaging found the work of Greek mathematician Archimidesin a 10th-century scroll; the work lay under a 13th-century Christian prayer book!
Southeast Asia used their own unique writing surfaces-bamboo and palm leaves. Using styluses or sharp instruments, writers inscribed characters onto the sheets. The bamboo slips had silk backings to form scrolls. The palm leaves were dried flat sheet manuscripts strung with string, mostly for religious scripts.
Who Discovered How to Make Paper?
Paper, as the modern era knows (and uses) it, came from China’s Han Dynasty. Specifically, a court official named Cai Lun in 105 CE. Hemp paper existed before Cai Lun’s discovery but proved challenging to manufacture. Cai Lun simplified the process by creating a pulp using old rags, hemp, and mulberry bark. Next, the pulp was pressed and dried into sheets. Cai Lun received a promotion to “maquis” and a fief in 114 CE for this amazing discovery.
Why Was Paper a Game Changer?
Following the invention of paper, the writing game took a drastic turn. Paper slowly became the popular writing medium in China, using silk or hemp declined. By the 4th century CE, people regularly used paper. Use for government records and scholarly works became commonplace. The Imperial government even established a toilet paper fabrication department solely for the Emperor! And like any new secret, the rest of the world would catch on.
Evidence pointing to paper’s dissemination began around the 6th century but soon accelerated. Two primary points are the 715 Battle of Talas and the Silk Road. At Talas, rumors circulated of captured Chinese craftsmen instructing their captors (though disputed by some sources). The continent-spanning Silk Road increased contacts outside the Empire and also spread the existence of paper.
After the Battle of Talas, the city of Samarkand emerged as the Muslim world’s paper source. This introduction contributed to the Golden Age of Islam. People now found books and learning much easier to come by. Later, particularly in the 12th century, papermaking spread to Europe. The use of parchment and vellum declined. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press secured paper as the primary material for books, printed works, and administration. Though expensive, paper mills cranked out product to meet demand. Like before, paper impacted the Renaissance by helping distribute knowledge.
How Did Industrialization Make Paper Commonplace?
Though paper remained a common but expensive item, 19th-century industrialization brought use to the next level. Wood pulp caused costs to manufacture, use, and distribute paper to plummet. As the preferred medium, paper became ubiquitous for books, newspapers, currency, and packaging. Paper’s evolution from a mash of hemp, rags, and flax to the item spat out from a printer demonstrates its versatility. While useful and available locally, vellum and papyrus couldn’t compete, particularly at cost. The time to prepare paper for use pales to the duration for the former materials. The race was decided at the get go by Cai Lun.
