Knowledge Builders

what was paper used for in the past

by Prof. Tara Altenwerth PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Paper was another Chinese idea, from 2,000 years ago. Initially it was used for wrapping precious objects, but soon people began to write on it because it was lighter than bamboo

Bamboo

The bamboos are evergreen perennial flowering plants in the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. The word "bamboo" comes from the Dutch or Portuguese languages, which probably borrowed it from Malay.

and cheaper than silk. Getty Images This Chinese worker makes paper using techniques devised almost 2,000 years ago

Then, with paper easier to make, paper was used for printing important books, bibles, and legal documents. England began making large supplies of paper in the late 15th century and supplied the colonies with paper for many years.

Full Answer

How does papermaking work?

Whether using recycled materials or fresh organic matter, the process starts by shredding the material into small strips and soaking them overnight to loosen the fibres.

Why did paper die out?

Earlier in the 20th century paper production from Khoi began to die out because of a shortage of Khoi trees.

What are the most suitable materials for paper making?

Others experimented with fibres such as straw, cabbage, wasp nests and finally wood, resulted in inexpensive - and replaceable - materials for paper making. Today, the long soft fibres of softwoods such as spruce have become the most suitable source of pulp for mass production.

What was the first paper made of?

Printing technology rapidly developed and created an ever increasing demand for paper. The early European papers were made from recycled cotton and linen - and a huge trade quickly developed around the trading of old rags. It is said that the black plague entered England from Europe on these old rags. Yet soon this source became insufficient and some curious attempts were made to source new materials - the most macabre of which was the recycling of Egyptian mummies to create wrapping paper! Others experimented with fibres such as straw, cabbage, wasp nests and finally wood, resulted in inexpensive - and replaceable - materials for paper making. Today, the long soft fibres of softwoods such as spruce have become the most suitable source of pulp for mass production.

What was the mass production of paper?

In Europe and America, the mass-production of paper became a thriving industry supplying huge volumes of paper for the production of newspapers, books, magazines, paper bags, toilet paper, money and a huge variety of other purposes - including clothing, chimney's and even coffins!

What was the demand for paper?

The demand for paper also created the need for greater efficiency in production . In the late 18th century the labours of Nicholas Luis Robert resulted in the creation of a machine that could produce a seamless length of paper on a endless wire mesh with squeeze rollers at one end.

What was the Empress Shotuka's project?

There, during the 8th century, the Empress Shotuka undertook a massive project consisting of printing a million prayers - dharani - on individual sheets of paper, with each mounted in its own pagoda.

What was the first paper made of?

Initially, paper was made from pulped cotton. Some kind of chemical was required to break down the raw material. The ammonia from urine works well, so for centuries the paper mills of Europe were powered by human waste.

What was the first toilet paper?

image copyright. Alamy. In the 1870s - the same decade that produced the telephone and the light bulb - the British Perforated Paper Company produced a kind of paper that was soft, strong, and absorbent. It was the world's first dedicated toilet paper.

Where was paper made?

One of the early sites of paper manufacture, Fabriano in Italy, used fast-flowing mountain streams to power massive drop-hammers. Once finely macerated, the cellulose from the cotton breaks free and floats around in a kind of thick soup. Thinned and allowed to dry, the cellulose reforms as a strong, flexible mat.

Where is the box used to package a laptop?

A cardboard box emerges from the paper mills of Ningbo, 130 miles (200km) south of Shanghai, and is used to package a laptop. The box is shipped across the Pacific, the laptop is extracted and the box is thrown into a recycling bin in Seattle or Vancouver.

Where was Gutenberg's movable type press invented?

image copyright. iStock. Actually, you can quibble with Gutenberg's place in history. The movable type press was originally developed in China.

When was the first daily newspaper invented?

By 1702 , paper was so cheap, it was used to make a product explicitly designed to be thrown away after only 24 hours: the Daily Courant, the world's first daily newspaper. image copyright. Getty Images.

Did Gutenberg create literacy?

It is also not true that Gutenberg single-handedly created mass literacy. It was common 600 or 700 years earlier in the Abbasid Caliphate, spanning the Middle East and North Africa. Still, the Gutenberg press did change the world.

What was the Dutch invention of the Dutch beater?

Hollander beater, Diderot Encyclopédie. 49. The Hollander beater, a Dutch invention from the mid-seventeenth century, was designed to use windmill power and replace the heavy water wheel powered stampers that had been the standard in the papermaking trade across Europe for at least three centuries before.

Why was chalk added to paper?

Ground chalk might have been added in small amounts as a whitener to counteract the yellowing effects of retting or iron in the water. Limed skins and other animal parts used to make gelatin size may have been another source. Finally, at least a portion of the calcium compounds entered the paper via the water supply.

What is the essential ingredient in white paper?

Alfred Shorter, in his work on papermaking in England, cites “plentiful, pure and clear or 'fair' water” as one of the essential ingredients in producing white paper of good quality. 7 Separating process water from water used for power was an alternative, and often a routine necessity.

When was paper made?

The following essay describes the materials and techniques used to make paper by hand in Europe between 1300 and 1800 CE. Some have questioned ending at 1800 when the real trouble with paper stability was just beginning. The 1300 through 1800 period, however, represents the rise and the slow but certain decline of hand papermaking as a major industry. In the late 1700s traditional methods were still in use in many mills. After 1800, however, the craft was rapidly changed by various “improvements,” including the papermaking machine, the universal acceptance of the Hollander beater, chlorine bleach, rosin and alum internal size, and the introduction of impure wood-pulp fibers as a substitute for rags.

What is gelatin surface sizing?

Along with the unique raw material, retting, and washing during beating, gelatin surface sizing was a key source of the distinctive quality of many early European handmade papers. There was typically more gelatin in historical European papers than any other ingredient other than the cellulose fiber itself.

Why is Lalande's work still damp?

The engraving of the layer in Lalande's work shows the same easel used to make up the pack. Because of the relatively light pressing, in all likelihood the paper was still quite damp and tender. Subsequent pack pressing in smaller presses at much less pressure could be used to expel excess water.

What is the first change observed in the rags after they have been for some time in the fermenting vat

The first change observed in the rags, after they have been for some time in the fermenting vat, is the disengagement of a material resembling mucus, so sparingly soluble in water that it is not removed in triturating the rags, and is even found in the vat at the time of manufacturing the paper.

What is pulpwood paper made of?

Some paper products are made from waste paper , while others are made from hemp or jute. Pulpwood paper can be made from a mechanical or chemical process. The wood is stripped of bark, chipped, pulped and passed through various machines that may add chemicals like solutions of calcium bisulfite or caustic soda.

What is paper used for?

Paper is used to make books, magazines and newspapers as well as paper money and photographic paper. It's used to make writing paper, toys, boxes, wrapping paper, glassine, paper napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue and paper plates.

What tools did people use in the past?

Among tools people used in the past were moss, sponge on a stick, ceramic pieces and bamboo 'spatulas.'. At the onset of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, store shelves were quickly emptied of toilet paper, revealing the commodity’s prominent, yet unspoken role in modern-day society. Although humans have cleaned their bottoms for ...

How did social hierarchy affect toilet habits?

In very ancient times, wiping with stones and other natural materials and rinsing with water or snow was common.

Why do people need toilet paper?

Shifts in attitudes and practices over time, including those associated with bathroom habits and hygiene, can help explain why people in modern society feel compelled to have toilet paper on hand, particularly during a crisis. For instance, in the Middle Ages, people considered human waste both good—being valuable and worth money (excellent for crops)—and bad—filthy and disgusting (excellent for humor and insults).

When did toilet paper start being used?

Paper became widely available in the 15th century, but in the Western world, modern commercially available toilet paper didn’t originate until 1857, when Joseph Gayetty of New York marketed a " Medicated Paper, for the Water-Closet ,” sold in packages of 500 sheets for 50 cents.

When was the first toilet paper roll made?

The first perforated toilet paper rolls were introduced in 1890, and by 1930 toilet paper was finally manufactured “splinter free.”.

Where was toilet paper found?

Small fragments of cloth found in a sewer in Herculaneum, Italy, one of the towns buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., could have been used as another form of toilet paper, although Rowan points out, “Cloth was made by hand in antiquity so using cloth to wipe your bum would have been quite a decadent activity.

Where were hygiene sticks found?

In 1992, archaeologists discovered 2,000-year-old hygiene sticks, known as salaka, cechou and chugi, in latrines at Xuanquanzhi, a former Han Dynasty military base in China that existed along the Silk Road. The instruments, cut from bamboo and other wood, resembled spatulas.

What is the role of paper in the digital age?

The role of paper remains important in the digital age, with this ubiquitous material still used daily for many purposes worldwide. In fact, the global production of paper and cardboard totals more than 400 million metric tons each year. The most produced type of paper is packaging paper and board, which has been growing in demand in recent years due to the online shopping boom. The two largest paper producing countries in the world are China and the United States. While paper production in the United States has been declining, production in China has increasing significantly in the past decade.

How much paper is consumed in the world?

With some 421.88 million metric tons of paper consumed globally in 2018, the world's paper consumption is roughly equal to the amount of paper produced annually.

What is the paper industry in 2020?

In 2020, International Paper reported a revenue of more 20 billion U.S. dollars. The U.S. is home to a number of the leading paper companies, but other key players operating in the global paper industry are Oji Paper Company, based in Japan, and UPM-Kymmene, based in Finland. These companies are involved in the manufacturing of various grades ...

Which country produces the most paper?

The two largest paper producing countries in the world are China and the United States.

Is paper recycling a renewable resource?

Paper recycling industry. Since paper can be classified as a renewable resource, recovery is crucial within the paper industry. Paper and cardboard accounts for almost 20 percent of global municipal solid waste generation, but it also has one the highest recycling rates of any waste materials.

Is paper production declining in China?

While paper production in the United States has been declining, production in China has increasing significantly in the past decade. Based on revenue, the largest paper company in the world is the U.S. based International Paper. In 2020, International Paper reported a revenue of more 20 billion U.S. dollars.

Why was communication different in the past?

In the past, communication was totally different from these days, because in the past communication was permeative. There were not many ways of communication that people could use in order to talk with each other. People were communicating face to face and with the invention of paper, they started to write messages to one another.

What animals were used to communicate with each other?

In addition, they used animals such as pigeons and horses to convey their messages.

How did pigeons carry messages?

Pigeons carried messages back and forth between people , but with pigeons it took a long time for a message to reach its destination and occasionally messages got lost. For instance, people used to ride horses from one place to other so that they could send messages.

How has communication changed?

In conclusion, communication has changed significantly from the past and with the technological inventions that occurred in the 21st century, communicational techniques have developed and are still developing with the purpose to facilitate ways in which people can reach each other.

Is communication more advanced today?

On the contrary, nowadays communication is more advanced. With the help of new technology, people become able to communicate in various ways. Currently, people communicate using cell phones, emails, SMS and in many other ways. These kinds of communication are faster than the old communication methods ...

When to use present tense?

Case 2: Use present tense when you’re referring to the previous research which conducted years ago and you believe the findings are still true and relevant.

Who is Sie Jing?

Sie Jing is an experienced proofreader and copyeditor with 8+ years of experience proofreading and editing for a variety of clients. He has helped many PhD students to publish their research in international journals with high impact factor. He is also a Certified Internet Marketing Practitioner (CIMP) & Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB).

Is it important to avoid plagiarism?

Avoiding plagiarism is important but having proper and correct tense such as past or present tense in scientific writing is also one of the criteria for your work to get published. You’ll start getting nervous and ask the above questions especially when you want to pass the thesis defense. Well, don’t worry. You’re coming to the right place.

image

Paper Origins & History

The Origins of Paper

  • Egypt 3,000 BC
    When we think of the origins of paper, our minds might wander back over 5000 years ago to the Nile river valley in Egypt. It was there that a marsh grass called Cyperous Papyrusflourished. The Egyptians cut thin strips from the plant's stem and softened them in the muddy waters of the Nil…
  • The father of true paper - T'sai Lun
    Paper as we know it today comes from another source - China. Excavations of tombs of the former Han Dynasty (207BC-9AD) have revealed silk cloth bearing the texts of Lao Tzu - the father of Taoism (born in 604BC). In 105 AD, Han Emperor Ho-Ti's chief eunuch T'sai Lun experimente…
See more on hqpapermaker.com

Spread of Papermaking

  • A Million Prayers
    It wasn't until the 3rd century that the secret art of papermaking began to creep out of China, first to Vietnam and then Tibet. It was introduced in Korea in the 4th century and spread to Japan in 6th. There, during the 8th century, the Empress Shotuka undertook a massive project consisting …
  • The Journey to the West
    Papermaking spread slowly throughout Asia to Nepal and later to India. It made its true push westward in 751AD when the Tang Dynasty was at war with the Islamic world. During a battle on the banks of the Tarus river, Islamic warriors captured a Chinese caravan which happened to inc…
See more on hqpapermaker.com

Paper Becomes An Industry

  • The Age of Experimentation
    Printing technology rapidly developed and created an ever increasing demand for paper. The early European papers were made from recycled cotton and linen - and a huge trade quickly developed around the trading of old rags. It is said that the black plague entered England from Europe on th…
  • Mass Production
    The demand for paper also created the need for greater efficiency in production. In the late 18th century the labours of Nicholas Luis Robert resulted in the creation of a machine that could produce a seamless length of paper on a endless wire mesh with squeeze rollers at one end. Per…
See more on hqpapermaker.com

The Future of Paper

  • Looking Ahead
    Owing to the ceaseless imagination of humanity, the words you are reading at this moment are digitally arranged and sent across the world via a new technology - signaling a new revolution in mass communication. As these new technologies develop where does the future of papermakin…
  • Return to Tradition
    In the west, as industrial paper production boomed the art of hand paper-making has been driven nearly to extinction - being practiced only by a few fine artists and crafts people. However, in small areas throughout Asia, the tradition has lived on. Incidentally, the traditional Asian paper which i…
See more on hqpapermaker.com

Making Paper

  • The Process
    Although there are many subtleties which affect the quality of a paper, papermaking in essence is a simple process. Whether using recycled materials or fresh organic matter, the process starts by shredding the material into small strips and soaking them overnight to loosen the fibres. Next, th…
  • The Possibilities
    Papers made in this tradition are durable, flexible and extremely versatile. They can be used by anyone for gift-wrapping, writing, drawing and painting. They are also used by craft-makers to produce books and binding, stationery and greeting cards, boxes, picture frames and so on. Pap…
See more on hqpapermaker.com

1.History of paper - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_paper

34 hours ago It's common knowledge that past papers are an effective revision strategy, but how the hell do you actually make the most out of them?? In this video I show ...

2.History of Paper - Papermaking through the Ages from …

Url:http://www.hqpapermaker.com/paper-history/

11 hours ago Apr 15, 2020 · The ends were wrapped in cloth and contained traces of preserved fecal matter. The Introduction of Paper as a Wipe Although paper originated in China in the second century B.C., the first recorded...

3.Paper through Time: Non-destructive ... - University of Iowa

Url:http://paper.lib.uiowa.edu/european.php

33 hours ago Mar 21, 2022 · Global paper consumption. With some 422 million metric tons of paper consumed globally in 2018, the world's paper consumption is roughly equal to the amount of paper produced annually. The largest ...

4.What Is Paper Used For? - Reference.com

Url:https://www.reference.com/world-view/paper-used-6862fd00685010e

1 hours ago Jan 16, 2020 · With the help of new technology, people become able to communicate in various ways. Currently, people communicate using cell phones, emails, SMS and in many other ways. These kinds of communication are faster than the old communication methods (paper messages) and people respond to each other within seconds. For example, people email each …

5.How I Used Past Papers to Get an A* at A Level - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4yAeA-BNc

36 hours ago Oct 24, 2015 · 3. Methodology. Case 1: Use past tense with passive voice (past passive) to describe how you conducted the research.Example: MATLAB software was used in this research. Case 2: Use present tense when you’re referring to tables or figures for explanation purpose. Example: Table 1 illustrates the number of social enterprise in Malaysia in 2014.

6.Who Invented Toilet Paper—and What Came Before - …

Url:https://www.history.com/news/toilet-paper-hygiene-ancient-rome-china

20 hours ago

7.Global paper industry - statistics & facts | Statista

Url:https://www.statista.com/topics/1701/paper-industry/

1 hours ago

8.Ways of Communication In The Past And Now | WOW …

Url:https://www.wowessays.com/free-samples/essay-on-communication-in-the-past-and-now-differences/

27 hours ago

9.Past Or Present Tense In Scientific Writing For Research ...

Url:https://www.edithumbs.com/past-or-present-tense-in-scientific-writing/

29 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9