Which came first- the demand for more paper, fueling production, or that more paper was made so people found ways to use it?
The demand for more paper. Early paper was at first regarded with disfavor by the Christian world. However, the invention of printing press in the mid 1400s increased the demand for paper in Europe.
Who was the museum’s founder and what are some interest facts about his life?
Dard Hunter was the founder of the museum.
His real name is actually William Joseph, and the origin of his nickname "Dard" remain unknown. He was a chalk artist in his older brother's magic show, and he published three limited-edition books at his Mountain House Press. They were Old Papermaking, Literature of Papermaking, and Primitive Papermaking.
How do you find out information in an age before the internet and before easy trans-continental communication?
Initially, papyrus roll was used as a writing material and a method of recording and disseminating information throughout the Mediterranean in the 2nd century AD.
Next, in the 5th century, parchment has replaced papyrus as the material for the Roman to create codex, a type of folded manuscript to record scholarly and religious writings, allowing them to share and pass down these information.
Finally, in the 15th century, books were copied by scribes to spread more information. And by the mid 15th century, printing press developed, and so books were no longer the exclusive property of the Church by the late 1500's.
How would you describe paper making to someone who has never done it before?
First, water-powered stamping mills would be used to reduce cotton rags to fibers for paper making. Next, the material would be molded using a mold before the paper sheets were taken to the press. The press would then squeeze the water out from the slacks of paper and felts. After pressing, the moist papers would be taken from the pile and hung individually for drying. Then, to make the paper less absorbent, the paper would be sized by dipping into an animal gelatin or glue. Lastly, the papers would be polished using a mechanical method developed in the early 17th century.
Wong Kin
Comments