Who invented papermaking? What are some interesting little facts?

Papermaking is one of the four great inventions of China. In the Western Han Dynasty, people had already understood the basic method of papermaking. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the eunuch Cai Lun summarized the experience of his predecessors and improved the papermaking process, which greatly improved the quality of paper. Since then, the use of paper has become increasingly common. Paper has gradually replaced bamboo slips and silk, becoming a widely used writing material, and also facilitating the spread of classics.

Cai Lun's improved papermaking has formed a relatively standardized papermaking process, which can be roughly summarized into the following 4 steps:
Separation: Use the method of retting or boiling to degumming the raw materials in alkali solution and disperse them into fibers.
Pulping: Use cutting and pounding methods to cut the fibers and make them broom to become paper pulp.
Papermaking: Make the paper pulp seep water to make pulp, and then use a paper scoop (bamboo mat) to scoop the pulp, so that the pulp is interwoven on the paper scoop into thin sheets of wet paper.
Drying: Dry the wet paper in the sun or air, and peel it off to make paper.

History of papermaking: Papermaking in most countries around the world was passed down from China. The invention of papermaking is one of China's great contributions to world civilization. At the 20th Congress of the International Papermaking History Association held in Malmedy, Belgium from August 18 to 22, 1990, experts unanimously agreed that Cai Lun was the great inventor of papermaking and China was the country that invented papermaking.

Importance of papermaking: The invention of papermaking also reminds us of the importance of scientific and technological innovation. In the process of inventing paper, Cai Lun used various innovative methods and technologies to make paper light, economical and easy to preserve. This process reflects the key role of scientific and technological innovation in promoting social progress. In modern society, scientific and technological innovation has become an important force to promote social progress. As college students, we need to continue to explore and innovate to cope with the ever-changing social changes and challenges.