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Cai Lun Improves Papermaking

Type Event Region China Time 105

During the Yongyuan era of the Eastern Han, eunuch Cai Lun directed improvements to papermaking in Luoyang using plant fibers, achieving large-scale …

Timeline

  1. 105Luoyang Shangfang · ChinaCai Lun conducted experiments at the imperial Shangfang workshop, combining fiber materials such as bark, hemp ends, rags, and old fishing nets, and improving soaking, pounding, and sheet-forming processes to produce paper suitable for writing.
  2. 105Luoyang · ChinaCai Lun presented the new paper to the emperor; after gaining approval it was promoted in the court and government offices, and paper gradually replaced some bamboo/slip documents and silk as the main writing medium.

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