Papermaking: The Historical Diffusion of an Ancient Technique

Abstract

Paper was invented in China in the centuries before Christ and carried by Buddhist monks throughout East and Central Asia (Tsien, 1985), where Muslim Arabs encountered it in the eighth century CE. Muslims carried paper and papermaking to the Mediterranean region, and European Christians there learned how to make it by the twelfth century. Europeans not only forgot their debt to Muslim papermakers but also remained ignorant of paper's origins in China, so that when they first encountered Chinese paper in the sixteenth century, they thought that the Chinese must have learned the art of papermaking from the ancient Egyptians! Europeans then carried paper and papermaking, along with printing, throughout the globe. While the history of paper has traditionally been overshadowed by the history of printing, the spread of paper and papermaking is arguably equally important, for this relatively permanent, cheap, and flexible material not only encouraged the spread of written culture across the globe but also transformed many other human activities.This paper studies mobilities of knowledge from the perspective of paper making by examining how and when this technique diffused from China across Eurasia to the Mediterranean region and from there to the rest of Europe in the period between 600 and 1500. The main factors that enhanced and impeded this spatial diffusion of knowledge were the availability of raw materials and the adoption of differing technologies, but the roles of mediating aspects such as religion, trade, emigration, imports, and exports will also be discussed.

Unveiling the Invisible in Uffizi Gallery’s Drawing 8P by Leonardo with Non-Invasive Optical Techniques

“…A papermaking mold, i.e., a wooden framework on which a screen made of wires was either placed or strung, was dipped into the vat and scooped up the pulp, thereby trapping the latter within the fine porous screen of the mold. The wires acted as a sieve, filtering out the pulp as the water drained through [39], causing the typical impressions of the wires running sideways ("laid lines") and from top to bottom ("chain lines") on the final sheet. Then, the sodden sheet was transferred onto a wool felt.…”

A Sustainable Journey of Handmade Paper from Past to Present: A Review

“…Before the discovery of handmade paper in China, Papyrus was considered as the most appropriate material for writ-ing especially in Egypt. Egyptian had the monopoly to grow efficient thickness papyrus plant suitable for producing writing material (Bloom, 2017). (Dabrowski, 2008).…”

“…fibers were used by early Chinese paper makers (Tsien, 1973 (Hubbe, 2009). Cotton fibre has an almost insignificant role in paper manufacturing till the 18th century, later large amount of cotton was exported to Europe from India and cotton rags were used to make handmade papers (Bloom, 2017). In present time cotton cutting waste generated by garment manufacturing units is the most usable raw material for the production of handmade paper in India.…”

“…Watermarks were the specialised designs or logo to distinguish the papers of different producers. They were made by bending a design in brass wire and attaching it to the mould so that it left an impression on finished sheets (Bloom, 2017). The first watermark was developed by the Fabriano paper mill in Fabriano, Italy and it was in the figure of 8.…”

“…Between 600 AD to 1500AD, the technology of handmade paper making diffused from China to east and central Asia through Buddhist monks; and from there it reached Mediterranean region and to other parts of Europe. According to the available raw materials, religions, and cultures, technology diffusion also took place after use and trade (Bloom, 2017). Handmade paper is a thin sheet or web-like structure made by the dilute suspension of cellulosic fibres.…”