The Complete History of Written Language, Paper and Printing

Paper: Paging Through History

Mark Kurlanky (2017)

Norton and Company

Book Review

This book provides a comprehensive survey of the development of paper and written language, starting with its earliest use in Sumeria in 3300 BC. Kurlanksky also traces the essential role of printing in the blossoming of science, art, and revolutionary religious and political movements.

Following its first development in Sumeria, written language seems to have developed independently in Egypt in 3000 BC, Crete and Greece in 1400 BC, China 1200 BC, Zaptote Mexico 600 BC, the Mayan empire 250 BC and Scandinavia (runes) 200 BC.

The Sumerians first wrote on stone and clay, the Egyptians on papyrus and the Chinese on wood tablets, bamboo scrolls, silk and eventually paper.

The Chinese, the first to invent paper, were inspired by wool felting technology, which preceded spinning. In felting, wool is repeatedly hammered into a fibrous mat. The Chinese, who also invented paper cups and toilet paper, initially used bark, hemp, rags and fishing nets to make paper.

After the Arab victory at the 751 AD Battle of Talas (see See Taizong and the Rise of the Tang), the Arab commander a took Chinese paper maker prisoner, who set up paper mills in Baghdad and Damascus in 800, The first paper mill in Cairo was built in 900. The Islamic Empire was the world’s fully literate society (ie extending literacy to commoners), Europeans only began making paper after 1000 AD, when their contact with Islamic scholars versed in classical science, math, medicine and philosophy led to a growing drive for increased literacy. By the 14th century, paper making was a common industrial activity throughout Europe.

Printing (of wood blocks and prints) also began in China in the late 7th century. Koreans printed the first book in 700 and invented moveable type in 1444. Johannes Guttenberg, a German goldsmith, also began experimenting with moveable type in the 1440s. By the 16h century, all of Europe, now the most advanced civilization in the world, was paper mad. In 1605 Cervantes published Don Quixote, which became the most sold book in publishing history.

According to Kurlansky, it was paper and printing of pamphlets, posters and religious tracts that made the Protestant Reformation possible. Luther and Calvin printed thousands of religious tract to prospective follower. Henry VIII’s chief minister Thomas Cromwell published similar anti-papist tracks to promote England’s separation from the Catholic Church.

Ben Franklin, a printer by trade and a prominent propagandist for American independence, started many newspapers. In addition to owning 18 paper mills, he also ran a business sourcing rags for paper pulp. In their desire to build and maintain colonists’ support for the War of Independence, the Continental Congress exempted paper workers from military service. It was essential to keep the paper mills running. ce.

In 1840, a chronic shortage of rags led German paper workers to produce the first wood pulp paper. American’s abundance of old growth forest allowed the new country to overtake Europe as the world’s primary paper maker by 1873.