As a student, you have to handle paper every day, all the time; throughout the duration of your studentship and beyond. You read texts written on paper, write on paper and draw on paper. Indeed, paper is so vital to everything we do in the classroom. But then it’s beyond the school really because we use paper for several other purposes other than academics. But have you ever bothered to learn about the incredible history about how paper was first invented? Anyway, just in case you never did, let this post introduce you to the amazing history of paper as well as the processes for manufacturing it. Read below please…
HISTORY: The invention of paper can arguably be traced back to five thousand [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][5000] years ago in Egypt. The Egyptian Nile River was then synonymous with a marsh grass called Cyperous Papyrus which grew near the riverbank. According to history, the Egyptians used to cut the Cyperous Papyrus plant’s stem into thin strips and then soften them in the muddy waters before layering them in right angles to form a certain kind f mat. The mat was then pounded and left in the sun to dry. When they dry, they form a sheet suitable for writing.
Now it is understandable that the Cyperous Papyrus isn’t exactly paper per se; at least it cannot be compared to the modern paper we now use. But then again, it was its invention that precipitated in the eventual invention of the paper. This invention happened during the 3rd Century in China and quickly spread throughout the rest of Asia and across Europe in subsequent centuries.
PAPER-MANUFACTURING PROCESS: So what is the paper-making process, you may ask. Well the first thing to know is that paper is usually made from trees. Yes…trees make it possible for us to write. But asides the cutting down of trees to produce paper, recycled materials could also serve the purpose. Now the paper-making process starts with the shredding the material into small strips. The shredded materials are soaked overnight with the intention to loosen the fibers. The next procedure entails boiling the fibers for 2-6 hours. While the boiling takes place, there is need to “stir” the fiber as often as possible. After this, the fibers are washed with fresh water in order to remove impurities such as small particles or specks.
The fibres are beaten in a blender or by hand to a creamy pulp. At this stage, dyes can be added to create coloured papers. The pulp is poured into a large tub and the fibers are suspended in the water. The artisan dips a framed screen into the water and with great skill, lifts it to the surface catching the fibres onto the screen. The screens can either be left in the sun to dry, or be transferred to boards, pressed, smoothed and then dried.
Hope this has been as informative as intended? I’d like to hear your responses…
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