On Paper Summary

Paper is a fundamental part of our civilization, shaping everything from how we record history to how we build cities, connect with nature, and even cope with emergencies.

1. The Origins of Paper in Ancient China

Paper was revolutionary when it was first developed, changing how humans recorded information and communicated. The invention of paper is widely attributed to Cai Lun in AD 105, who worked in the Chinese imperial court. However, archaeological findings, such as paper fragments from 140 BC, suggest its evolution started earlier. Paper emerged as a cheaper and more practical alternative to materials like silk and stone.

The production of paper involves combining water with cellulose fibers from various materials, including tree bark and old fishing nets. The process relies on hydrogen bonding to create durable sheets. This innovation marked a significant departure from earlier materials such as papyrus, which used plant stalks bonded by natural chemicals.

China embraced paper because of its affordability and adaptability compared to heavy or costly alternatives. For centuries, it remained indispensable in the region and steadily spread outward through cultural exchanges.

Examples

• Cai Lun is credited for creating paper commonly used in ancient China.
• Ancient Chinese tombs reveal paper fragments dating back to 140 BC.
• Papyrus, though similar, lacked the cohesive strength of paper created through hydrogen bonding.

2. How Japan Transformed Paper Use

The arrival of paper in Japan sparked an explosion of innovation across many domains. Initially exclusive to the elite, by the 19th century, it attained widespread use, surpassing any other nation. The Japanese made creative uses of paper, extending its purpose beyond writing to items like garments and even weapons.

Paper played a role in Japanese architecture, such as Shoji screens. It also made its mark during wartime; the Japanese military created massive paper-based balloons in World War II to carry bombs to North America. Though this tactic caused minimal damage, it is a reminder of paper's unexpected applications.

Paper also touched various facets of daily life, including hygiene and traditional rituals. It became deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, echoing its versatility and adaptability.

Examples

• Shoji screens incorporated paper into traditional Japanese architecture.
• World War II saw paper balloons carrying bombs across the Pacific.
• Handmade paper items like fans and kimonos highlighted its cultural importance.

3. The West's Adoption of Paper Through the Muslim World

When Muslim cultures inherited paper-making from China, they used it in religious and administrative contexts before driving its broader adoption. From Iraq to Spain, paper became essential for governance and record-keeping. The Ottomans, for instance, relied on paper's permanence for documentation over parchment.

Printing presses in the 1450s enabled mass production, cementing Europe's dominance in the paper industry. While Muslims restricted printing for religious reasons for centuries, European advancements turned the tide. The use of wood pulp for paper in the 18th century further lowered production costs, fueling global paper adoption.

Paper traveled to the Americas and Australia from Europe, reshaping global cultures and economies. It became integral in everything from art to commerce.

Examples

• The Muslim world adopted Chinese paper technology for Quran production.
• Ottomans used paper to maintain reliable tax records.
• René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur's study of wood pulp revolutionized paper-making.

4. Money Made with Paper—Durable, Ingenious, and Universal

Paper gained new significance with the advent of paper currency. It was cheap, portable, and easier to produce than precious metals—spurring widespread adoption. Crane and Company, an American firm, innovated methods to deter counterfeiting, threading silk strands into bills.

Paper-based banknotes like the US dollar are surprisingly durable. A one-dollar bill lasts for over three years and can endure thousands of folds before tearing. Unlike coin currency or older forms of bartering, paper money became an accessible medium universally accepted across borders.

Though electronic money options now exist, paper currency maintains a personal, tactile reliability that's hard to replicate.

Examples

• In 1879, Crane and Company became the exclusive supplier of US Treasury bills.
• Silk strands in currency design deterred counterfeiting in the 1800s.
• The Federal Reserve estimates a one-dollar bill's life span at 41 months.

5. Wood Revolutionized Papermaking in America

As demand skyrocketed in America, papermakers transitioned from Europe’s rag-based methods to wood pulp. Paper shortages during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars even led to unusual solutions, like using wallpaper or mummy wrappings imported from Egypt.

Friedrich Gottlob Keller's patented method in 1845 made wood-based paper-making efficient. Though lignin in wood initially caused yellowing and brittleness, chemists developed techniques to remove it, laying the groundwork for modern paper production.

This shift enabled Americans to dominate global paper markets, meeting rising demands from the media and education sectors.

Examples

• Mummy wrappings were imported in desperation to satisfy paper demands.
• Keller's method of wood pulp mass production was patented in 1845.
• Yellowing from lignin was solved by chemical treatments in the late 19th century.

6. Paper Hygiene and Innovation

The invention of disposable paper products transformed modern hygiene practices. Companies like Kimberly-Clark pioneered tissues, sanitary napkins, and improved toilet paper. Their Cellucotton material, initially created for war-related uses, found new applications in surgery, cosmetics, and everyday life.

Toilet paper, now a staple, underscores paper's importance in mundane but essential tasks. Innovations in tissue boxes, colors, and materials greatly enhanced convenience, helping paper integrate seamlessly into everyday routines.

Paper is now central to our hygiene practices, proving indispensable to health industries worldwide.

Examples

• Kimberly-Clark developed surgical-grade material called Cellucotton during WWI.
• Disposable tissues were invented for the growing cosmetics industry in 1924.
• Pop-up tissue boxes were introduced in 1929.

7. Bureaucracy and Global Use Maintain Paper's Relevance

Despite an increasingly digital world, paper thrives in bureaucratic and legal systems. People trust hard copies for official documents, from passports to birth certificates. Paper also plays a role in espionage, with spy tools like dissolving or easily burned "flashpaper."

Cigarettes represent another major driver of paper use. Initially viewed as unconventional, paper cigarettes gained traction internationally following the Crimean War because they were cheap and transportable.

Paper remains irreplaceable for unique and established purposes that digital media cannot fully match.

Examples

• Emergency records during 9/11 relied on paper when technology failed.
• Spy tools like dissolving paper remain significant today.
• Cigarettes wrapped in paper became widely popular after the Crimean War.

8. Paper Gains Value Over Time

Despite its disposability, paper often accrues cultural and financial value. Stamps, historical documents, and rare manuscripts become prized collectibles. Personal papers like journals and artistic sketches also soar in worth, shedding light on history.

Architectural achievements owe much to paper. Structures like St. Paul’s Cathedral were enabled by blueprints made possible on paper. Without it, progress would have been slower and less coordinated.

Paper evolves from single-use products into artifacts of knowledge and creativity.

Examples

• A Mauritius stamp from 1847 sold for $4 million in 1993.
• Da Vinci’s countless sketches depended on paper for their creation.
• Paper copies of architectural plans improved standardization in building projects.

9. Paper's Beauty and Innovation

Though practical, paper is also remarkable in artistic and decorative contexts. Origami demonstrates its adaptability as foldable art, creating elaborate designs from a single sheet. Similarly, paper serves as the foundation for charming decorations or religious relics.

Modern companies experiment with non-traditional materials to create new paper products. P. H. Glatfelter Inc. uses abaca plant fiber for tea bags, playing cards, and disposable condiment cups.

The evolving applications remind us of paper’s potential to surprise and intrigue.

Examples

• Origami sculptures are crafted without cutting or gluing paper.
• Paper-based tea bag production uses sturdy fibers from abaca plants.
• Pop-up greeting cards and religious ornaments display artistic uses of paper.

Takeaways

1. Preserve your important records by keeping physical paper copies; they are more secure than digital forms.
2. Embrace paper’s versatility for creative projects like origami or homemade decorations.
3. Consider the environmental impact of paper and explore efficient recycling practices to extend its usability.