Paper in China

 -Now, we will talk about the true birthplace of paper, in China under the Han Dynasty.

3.  Paper – China, invented around 200BC, refined up to 1200CE: Paper was initially an accidental invention, much like many other notable inventions like gunpowder. However, its practicality was immediately noticed and soon after, in 105CE, a more refined version of the “paper prototype” was invented. The production method was somewhat similar to papyrus, using fibers and soaking then pressing them into a frame to provide shape. However, paper came with more benefits; it was durable, easier to make, and quickly became a revolution nationally, and later, a prized commodity around the world. Yet, before that, it went through many further stages of refinement, one notable one being around 200CE where after more testing of what other fibers would work, a higher quality product was discovered. This stage recurred a few more times, one at around 800CE where the fibers used were from bamboo, and one during the Song Dynasty, which ended at about 1300CE. By this time, China has already begun to sell it in large numbers along the Silk Road, and its quality was the envy of the world. (Cartwright)

Legacy: Paper had many huge places of impact and use all over China, and later on, around the world. The more direct impact was the promotion of literacy and a better push for education. With the invention of a cheap and fairly simple to produce writing surface, students and scholars could be supplied many of these sheets of paper for their use, and this greatly sped up other scientific advances, as recording data and passing on knowledge could be much more efficient and accessible. Arts was another field that saw a minor revolution with the arrival of paper. This, in turn, made paper even more in demand and valued, which led to its use as part of the legal currency system in China during the Tan Dynasty (617-907CE). This connects to our use of paper money nowadays. (Cartwright)


Drawing of an imitation of a workplace for the average Chinese papermaker

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