Cai Lun, the Inventor of Paper

Cai Lun, also known as Ts’ai Lun (蔡伦), was a eunuch and official during the Eastern Han Dynasty in China. He is credited with the invention of paper, a revolutionary development that changed the course of human communication.

Cai Lun’s invention of paper (zhǐ, 纸) was a significant advancement from the previous writing materials such as bamboo slips and silk. His process involved using tree bark, rags, and other plant fibers, which were soaked, mashed, and pressed into thin sheets. This innovation made writing more accessible, affordable, and convenient, leading to the widespread use of paper as a medium for written records, literature, and knowledge preservation.

Cai Lun’s contribution to the development of papermaking (zhǐzhì, 纸制) revolutionized not only the field of communication but also had a profound impact on art, education, administration, and the dissemination of ideas. The invention of paper allowed for the exchange of information, the spread of literacy, and the preservation of historical records.

Thanks to Cai Lun’s ingenuity and invention, the world has benefitted from the durable and versatile material that is paper, which has shaped the course of human civilization. His legacy as the inventor of paper continues to be celebrated as a monumental achievement in the history of technology and culture.