The Evolution of Paper

The Evolution of Paper

References

Carr, K. (2012). History of paper for kids. Retrieved from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/literature/paper.htm

Case Paper Company. (2013). Tools & resources: Paper history. Retrieved from http://www.casepaper.com/resources/paper-history/

Confederation of European Paper Industries. (2013). History of paper: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.paperonline.org/history-of-paper/timeline

Confederation of European Paper Industries. (2013). Environment: Clean Technology. Retrieved from http://www.paperonline.org/environment

Florida Pulp and Paper Association. (2006). Papermaking today. Retrieved from http://www.fppaea.org/static.php?contentid=10644

HQ PaperMaker. (2004). History of paper. Retrieved from http://www.hqpapermaker.com/paper-history/

Paper Trading International, Inc. (1998). The history of paper. Retrieved from http://www.papertrading.com/prod01.htm

Reynolds, T., S. (2002). Stronger than a hundred men: A history of the vertical water wheel. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.au/books?id=aZ0runvrq0AC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

U.S Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Paper making and recycling. Retreived from http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/paper/basics/papermaking.htm

105 AD

The invention of paper in China.

Ts'ai Lun, a government court official, is credited with beginning the paper-making industry. He invented a paper making process using rags and mulberry bark which was mixed together, mashed flat, pressed to remove water and then left in the sun to dry.

Due to the reluctance of the Chinese to share their findings, paper making spread slowly to the outside world. These techniques finally reached Korea in 600 AD and Japan in 610 AD.

The following video looks at the traditional ways of making Xuan paper.

150 BC

By 5OO BC most of West Asia and the Mediterranean were using Papyrus. However, being unable to grown the plant in their own country, they were forced to purchase it from the Egyptians which was very expensive. Around 150 BC, parchment began to be used in leiu of payprus.

To make parchment, cleaned animal skins are soaked in water with flour or chalks, with the addition of salt to create a smooth surface for writing on. The skin was then soaked in tannin as a means of preservation.

Parchment ended up more expensive than Papyrus.

13th & 14th Century

21st Century and beyond

The earliest recorded use of the paper mill is in Europe in the 13th Century. Hydraulic trip-hammers were used to beat the rags to a pulp. Other improvements to the paper making process include the use of moulds made of wire mesh, a paper press which helped to quicken the drying process and the use of different substances applied to the paper to change it's surface properties.

Environmental issues have become a primary concern. In addressing these concerns, using recycled paper to make new paper is becoming common practice. Paper is biodegradable and a source of green energy. The paper making industry continues to reduce it's environmental footprint using less energy and water and reducing the amount of emissions.

Paper itself is now available in many different shapes, sizes, colours and textures. It's uses can now be seen through newspapers, writing stationary, magazines, books, envelopes, boxes, packing and wrapping papers, tissues and toilet paper. Despite the modern push towards a paperless society, it continues to be at the forefront of the materials we use today.

3000 BC

17th & 18th Century

The earliest forms of paper can be attributed to the Ancient Egyptians use of Papyrus, a plant commonly found along the Nile River. Thin strips were cut from the stem, soaked in water and woven together. After being pounded into a thin sheet it was left to dry in the sun.

The Dutch invented the 'Hollander beater' in the 17th century. It increased the efficiency of preparing pulp, producing in one day what it would normally take the stamp mill eight days to produce.

The 18th century saw the invention of a paper making machine by Nicholas Robert based on a hand-cranked device. Chemical bleaching of pulp was also invented.

19th & 20th Century

The paper machine is further developed by the Fourdrinier brothers, representing the steam driven machines that used wood pulp to make paper fibres. Production of paper was increased from 60 to 100 lbs per day up to 1000 lbs per day. Fifty years later the price of paper had almost halved.

Fourdrinier paper making machine

Eventually the paper making process became entirely automated resulting in full scale industrialisation. New materials were developed and the constant advancements in technology increased productivity and quality.