The History of Paper

The history of paper is as colorful as the many shades that it comes in today. The word “paper” is derived from papyrus, the natural reed used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Although papyrus was not actually paper, it was one of many materials used for early historical documentation.
This material paved the way for the paper products we use currently.

Paper, as we know it today, was first made in 105 AD in Lei-Yang China by a Chinese official, Ts’ai Lun. His paper was made from a combination of rags, used fishing nets, hemp and China grass. Over the centuries, paper production spread throughout the Middle East and Europe, resulting in a much more refined process and product.

Paper uses became more widespread, especially with the invention of the printing press, which made books readily available and less expensive. This development spurred the expansion of new schools and universities, and increased literacy and education to classes of society that previously did not have this privilege.

The first newspapers, primarily made of rags, began to surface in the 17th century. Newspapers were a tremendous influence in communicating with large numbers of people, particularly during times of political instability and war. This can be seen in documentation associated with the Revolutionary War, Civil War and World Wars I and II. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that paper began being made from trees and wood.

Today, wood and recovered fiber are the primary feedstocks for paper production in the U.S. In much more limited examples, paper can also be made from a variety of other natural materials including cotton, hemp, linen and bamboo.

For more information on the history of paper:
Paperrecycles.org
TAPPI
Conservatree