One of the most important inventions created in the Han Dynasty was a new form of making paper. Although there were earlier materials used for paper such as cloth, rock, bamboo, animal bones, and wooded boards, they were not easy to use and were certainly not convenient. Instead, a court official named Cai Lun created a new kind of paper. This new paper was made from bark, hemp, rags, fishnet, wheat stalks and other materials (Four Great Invetions of Ancient China). It was thinner, lighter, smaller, and much less expensive. This paper also was durable and more suitable for brush writing.
Cai Lun developed the paper-making process in around 105 C.E., but his techniques were not spread to other nations until after the Han Dynasty had ended (Szczepanski). Surrounding nations, such as Korea and Japan, were the first to discover this new form of paper. They were then able to export the paper to other various parts of the world (Europe) and Lun's techniques quickly became popular.
The invention of paper has had a gigantic impact on the world today. Paper is used almost everywhere worldwide; in schools, at work, for road maps, and even for things like toilet paper and paper towels. Paper has also given mankind something to record their lives on. Without the invention of paper, historians would not know most of the information they have discovered about the past. Paper has definitely made the world what it is today.
No comments:
Post a Comment