Introduction
Traditionally, a paper was invented in 105 CE; however, there is evidence of it being invented much earlier. Historians believe that the earliest invention was accidental due to clothes made of hemp being left to dry for too long, forming a residue in the water that could be pressed into paper (Cartwright). The one credited for the traditional invention of paper in 105 CE is the director of the Imperial Workshop at Luoyang, Cai Lin. He dried sheets of soaked and pressed plant fibers on wooden frames to create paper (Cartwright). It served as a much cheaper alternative to expensive silks and a more convenient one to bamboo or wooden strips as a surface for writing (Cartwright).
Has the invention of paper influenced every aspect of everyday life? Knowing the answer to these questions and the history of paper, and how crucial its existence is in human history might remind people of paper’s value and importance in everyday life.
Paper in Literature, Science, and Art
The invention of paper significantly eased the spread of literature, science, and art. They can be considered the key elements in establishing civilization and society as we know it. Literature and literacy were developed through books, which were more convenient to use and cheaper to make because of paper (Cartwright). Scholars were able to advance in their research on sheets of paper that were easy to obtain (Cartwright).
Statistics
According to the presented statistics, printing and writing are the most common applications (Cartwright). The availability of paper in combination with ink made calligraphy and painting the most important areas of art in China (Cartwright). Without paper, literature, science, and art would either take longer to develop or would not appear in human history at all. With this progress, people were able to advance to the next level of civilization.
Paper in Traveling
Paper made traveling possible with the advance in literacy and science. People found a way to produce topographical and military maps. With their help, traveling to distant lands became more convenient and less dangerous (Cartwright). Paper was used for packing necessary medicine, tea, and parcels made people’s lives and journeys easier (Cartwright). Paper was even used to make hats, armor, windows, and curtains (Cartwright). Because paper was easy and cheap to make, it was used for every aspect of life and inspected to grow in the use in the upcoming years (Cartwright). Creating maps increased the number of travelers and traders. As such, the expansion of trade led to the need for a replacement for the barter system.
Paper in Society
The invention of paper is vital to the structure of society. Following the increase in traveling and trade, carrying coins and ingots used for barter became inconvenient. Merchants started using paper documents and receipts in an equivalent amount of money they had deposited, eventually replacing the barter system (Cartwright). Today paper is still used for money, packaging, books, maps, and art. It has helped develop and improve all of these spheres of life and is easily accessible. In addition, the statistics collected already allow us to display information about the parts of the world with the largest sales market and potential, one of which is Asia Pacific (Cartwright).
Conclusion
The invention of paper formed society and advanced civilization to what we know it now through literature and literacy, science, and art. Travelling became less dangerous and more convenient because of the creation of maps drawn on paper. Due to its easy accessibility, paper replaced barter and promoted trade. It is still used for literature, science, art, trade, traveling, et al., today. Paper has advanced human society and remains a vital part of it; it is easy to make and access. Without paper, the world we know would not exist because it has been a key element of almost all aspects of our lives.
References
Cartwright, Mark. “Paper in Ancient China.” World History Encyclopedia, 2017, Web.