What improved papermaking in ancient China

Cai Lun

Improved papermaking

Cai Lun (? -121[1]

), known as Jingzhong, was a native of Guiyang County in the Eastern Han Dynasty. At the end of Yongping of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, Cai Lun was promoted to the position of Chinese Constant Attendant in the second year of Zhanghe (88 A.D.) because of his service to the Empress Dowager, and Cai Lun was also appointed as the Shangfang Order with the status of the Nine Ministers of the Emperor[2]

. Cai Lun summarized people's experience in papermaking and innovated the papermaking process, and finally made the "Cai Hou Paper"[2-3]

. In the first year of Yuanxing (105 AD), he reported to the court[2]

, and Emperor He of Han ordered to popularize his paper-making method[4]

. In the first year of Jianguang (121 AD), Cai Lun committed suicide due to power struggle[5]

Cai Lun's papermaking was listed as one of the "Four Great Inventions" of Ancient China[

[4]

, which made an outstanding contribution to the dissemination of human culture and the advancement of the world's civilization, and was highly respected by the people for thousands of years[6]

. 6]

. He is regarded by papermakers as the originator of papermaking and

"paper god"

[4]

. Cai Lun was ranked seventh in Mike Hart's list of 100 Famous People Who Have Influenced the Course of Human History[7]

. Cai Lun was listed in Time magazine's "Best Inventors of All Time"[8]

The opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics featured a special demonstration of Cai Lun's invention of papermaking.