The History of Technological Developments in Pulp and Paper Industry : From Ts'ai Lun's Invention to the Birth of Modern Pulp and Paper Industry

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Other Title
  • 製紙産業の技術開発史：蔡倫から近代製紙産業の誕生前夜まで
  • 製紙産業の技術開発史 : 蔡倫から近代製紙産業の誕生前夜まで(第5回)製紙産業と経済・文化とのかかわり
  • セイシ サンギョウ ノ ギジュツ カイハツシ : サイリン カラ キンダイ セイシ サンギョウ ノ タンジョウ ゼンヤ マデ(ダイ5カイ)セイシ サンギョウ ト ケイザイ ・ ブンカ ト ノ カカワリ
  • 第5回　製紙産業と経済・文化とのかかわり
  • Part 5 : Paper, Economy and Culture in the History of Human Society

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The fact that paper has been used for two thousand years means that people have appreciated its value for so long time. At the same time, paper itself has been technologically developed to satisfy needs which followed the economic and cultural progress of society.<br>Historically, the amount of paper consumed has a positive relationship with the affluence of society that is represented by GDP as one of parameters. When society was stable and prosperous, new technology was invented to meet increasing demand of paper. The paper was invented by Ts'ai Lun in the age of Eastern Han when the dynasty was prospering. The bamboo pulp was developed in the age of Tang and Northern Sung when the culture was at its best in the Chinese history. Italians impregnated paper with gelatin for book bonding when its society was flourishing at the Renaissance. Dutch invented Hollander beater and revolutionized beating operation in the 17th century when they were richest in Europe. England which was leading the industrial revolution invented paper machine in the 19th century.<br>These technological developments reduced price of paper which in turn stimulated printing technology, and printed matters became common in daily life. In Japan, Japanese paper (Washi) and wood block printing combined made it possible to publish various printed matters in Edo period. Paper was used as one of basic materials in everyday life as well.<br>Paper was also a useful tool for ruling in empires covering large territories like Chinese dynasties and the Mongolian Empire. Europe, on the other hand, developed typography. With paper produced with efficient productivity and letterpress printing which allowed low cost operation, printed matters became far more common and popular in Europe than anywhere else. This availability induced successive social revolutions like the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment age, and the Industrial Revolution.<br>As Kremer wrote 100 years ago, blossom of mental activity made possible by paper started a new era of civilization.

Journal

  • JAPAN TAPPI JOURNAL

    JAPAN TAPPI JOURNAL 69 (8), 854-863, 2015

    JAPAN TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY

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