Gourt > Arts > Crafts > Papermaking (2)
The word paper comes from the ancient Egyptian writing material called papyrus, which was woven from papyrus plants. Papyrus was produced as early as 3000 BCE in Egypt, and in ancient Greece and Rome. Further north, parchment or vellum, made of processed sheepskin or calfskin, replaced papyrus, as the papyrus plant requires subtropical conditions to grow. In China, documents were ordinarily written on bamboo, making them very heavy and awkward to transport. Silk was sometimes used, but was normally too expensive to consider. Indeed, most of the above materials were rare and costly.
The Chinese court official Cai Lun (蔡倫) described the modern method of papermaking in AD 105; he was the first person to describe how to make paper from wood pulp. Archeologically, true paper had been excavated in China dated from the 2nd century BC. It spread slowly outside of China; other East Asian cultures, even after seeing paper, could not figure out how to make it themselves. Instruction in the manufacturing process was required, and the Chinese were reluctant to share their secrets. The technology was first transferred to Korea in 600 and then imported to Japan by a Buddhist priest, Dam Jing (曇徴) from Goguryeo, around 610, where fibres (called bast) from the mulberry tree were used. After further commercial trading and the defeat of the Chinese in the Battle of Talas, the invention spread to the Middle East, where it was adopted in India and subsequently in Italy in about the 13th century. They used hemp and linen rags as a source of fiber. Rags from old clothing, etc. were commonly bought by rag collectors and sold to paper makers. As printing on rag paper became more popular, the supply of rags became more and more inadequate and other sources of fiber were actively sought. A great deal of experimentation took place. The oldest known paper document in the West is the Missel of Silos from the 11th century.
Some historians speculate that paper was the key element in global cultural advancement. According to this theory, Chinese culture was less developed than the West in early ancient times because bamboo, while abundant, was a clumsier writing material than papyrus; Chinese culture advanced during the Han Dynasty and preceding centuries due to the Chinese invention of paper; and Europe advanced during the Renaissance due to the introduction of paper and the printing press. Papermaking was one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China. Paper remained a luxury item through the centuries, until the advent of steam-driven paper making machines in the 19th century, which could make paper with fibres from wood pulp. Although older machines predated it, the Fourdrinier paper making machine became the basis for most modern papermaking. Together with the invention of the practical fountain pen and the mass produced pencil of the same period, and in conjunction with the advent of the steam driven rotary printing press, wood based paper caused a major transformation of the 19th century economy and society in industrialized countries. Before this era a book or a newspaper was a rare luxury object and illiteracy was the norm. With the gradual introduction of cheap paper, schoolbooks, fiction, non-fiction, and newspapers became slowly available to nearly all the members of an industrial society. Cheap wood based paper also meant that keeping personal diaries or writing letters ceased to be reserved to a privileged few. The office worker or the white-collar worker was slowly born of this transformation, which can be considered as a part of the industrial revolution.
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Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:16:01 -0000
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Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:34:50 -0000
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Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:31:06 -0000
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Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:39:57 -0000
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Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:31:00 -0000
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Rotary Club plans 23rd annual Arts and Crafts Fair - Middleboro Gazette
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:32:56 -0000
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Paper Centre - This site examines the technical aspects of papermaking.
Roberts - A dictionary of descriptive terminology used in papermaking.
Aimee Kligman - Resource for handmade paper products from around the world. History, News and trends relating to papers.
Meta Description: [ Since 1978, Aimee Kligman and subsequently Victoria Paper, has been bringing the world to the paper market. Focusing on handmade papers which are ecologically sound, we were first in bringing you Lokta from Nepal, Coral Reef from India, and Punjab watercolor. Now shipping directly from manufactur... ]
Artpaperwork - Gallery of contemporary art created with traditional handmade paper by French artist J.M. Letellier.
Meta Description: [ Art contemporain sur Papier, informations sur Jean-Michel Letellier, artiste sur Papier, stages de fabrication de Papier, Online gallery about contemporary Art on Paper, by Jean-Michel Letellier, french Paper-artist, Artworks, Exhibits and Workshops on handmade Papermaking ]
Artwork by James Q. Jacobs, Paper Casting - Paper Casts are an easy and fun art project. All you need is a blender, water, newsprint, some porous cloth, a sponge, a household garbage bag and a mold. Directions are provided for a simple method.
Meta Description: [ Description and images of handmade paper casts. ]
Awagami Factory - Hand papermaking studio.
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Briar Press - This site offers instructions and advice from a self-taught amateur who's learned above all how rewarding is the old art of making paper.
Meta Description: [ Briar Press: A letterpress community. Museum of Printing Presses, Letterpress Classifieds, Printer's Yellow Pages, and vintage postscript artwork for download. ]
Dieter Freyer Büttenpapier - Handmade Paper - A virtual guide through the world of handmade paper. Includes paper history, museums, papermills, instructions, producers, supplies, and dictionaries.
Meta Description: [ Handgeschöpftes im Netz - Führer durch die Welt handgeschöpfter Papiere im Internet, handmade paper on the net - webguide through the world of handmade paper, Papiergeschichte, Museen, Papiermühlen, Anleitungen, Erzeuger und Zubehör, Papierkunst, Papierlexikon, Wasserzeichen, paperhistory, m... ]
Dieu Donne Papermill, Inc - Non-profit studio for handmade paper art.
Meta Description: [ Dieu Donné Papermill Inc. is an artist workspace dedicated to the creation, promotion and preservation of contemporary art utilizing the hand papermaking process. ]
GrangerHome Studio - Works in Fiber, Paper and Wood - View works of handmade paper, paper castings and hand-dyed fabrics by artist, designer and crafstman, Christopher Granger.
Meta Description: [ The handwoven scarves of fiber artist and handweaver Christopher Granger. ]
Handmade Paper - Brief introduction to three Japanese handmade paper styles.
How To Make Paper - Detailed instructions explaining how to make handmade paper.
Meta Description: [ Not only is making homemade paper a fun experience for you and the kids, but it's a good way to recycle waste into wonderful posibilities such as envelopes, greeting cards, artwork and more. You'll value these time honored crafts and rediscover the beauty in tradition. ]
Jones on Prairie Paper - The Prairie Paper Project teaches a basic industrial technology, papermaking, and it provides opportunities to introduce some basic chemistry and environmental issues, as well as exploring the artistic possibilities offered by home made paper.
LadyArt.com - Introduces the Korean hand craft of pulpart.
Michelle Phillips' Papermaking Instructions - This site focuses on simple paper re-making.
Paper in Wisconsin - This site offers information regarding all aspects of paper and papermaking.
Papermaking - The following procedures given are simplified versions of traditional methods. Once basic papermaking is understood, one can make many beautiful papers using plant materials and flowers.
Papermaking - This short history of papermaking is brought to you by the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artist Guild.
Meta Description: [ CBBAG programmes and publications dedicated to the book arts: book binding, artists' books, paper making, calligraphy, letterpress printing, typography, wood engraving, paper decorating & conservation ]
Papermaking for Kids - This Baltimore County Public Library site is aimed at teaching the craft of papermaking to children.
Meta Description: [ Information about papermaking, from children's author Denise Fleming. ]
Papermaking with Hawaiian Plants - An article on handmade papermaking using Hawaiian native plants.
Recycled Paper Crafts - Decorative and functional art crafted out of recycled paper and paper products.
Recycling and Hand Paper Making - A step by step tutorial in how to recycle and make handmade paper in your home.
Stefan's Florilegium: Papermaking - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme of papermaking.
The Friends of Dard Hunter, Inc. - International group of papermakers, artists, scientists, and bookmakers, involved in handmade paper and related arts and crafts.
The Paper - Paper making products, history, links, and information.
White Oak Studio and Gallery - Retail gallery, shop and commercial papermaking studio. Offers newsletter, workshops, school, events, and tours.
Meta Description: [ Our goal is to provide companies with the advantages of an Information Technology department without the high overhead:
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Wildflowers by Luann - Step by step directions for making handmade paper from recycled fiber.
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You Can Make Paper - Make recycled paper following simple step-by-step instructions, and also learn a bit about science.
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