History, Composition, and Manufacturing of Paper and Parchment

Fundamentals and Early History of Paper

• Definition and Applications of Paper: Paper is a thin, versatile material mainly used for writing, painting, and packaging.
• Etymological and Botanical Origins:
  • The word "paper" is derived from the Greek word "Papyrus".
  • It originates from the plant species Cyperus papyrus (also referred to as Cyprus Papyrus or Papyrus Paperus).
• Historical Origins and Location:
  • The first use of papyrus paper is believed to have occurred around 4000 B.C.
  • The Cyperus papyrus plant grew natively along the riverbanks of the Nile.

Animal-Based Writing Materials: Parchment and Vellum

• Parchment:
  • Composition: Made from the skin of animals, specifically calf, goat, and sheep.
  • Properties and Durability: Considered a strong and stable material for writing, offering greater durability than paper.
  • Historical Applications: Used for critical historical and official documents, such as public laws, religious texts, indentures, and land records.
• Vellum:
  • Etymology: Derived from the French word "velin".
  • Definition: Refers specifically to parchment made from the skin of a calf.
• Modern Paper Vellum (Imitation):
  • Composition: Made out of cotton rather than animal skin, known commercially as "paper vellum".
  • Distinction: The name merely suggests the quality of the product, but it is actually not genuine vellum.

Plant Fibers, Historical Papers, and Chemical Properties

• Mechanical Wood Pulping Machinery:
  • In the 19th century, Charles Fenerty (a Canadian inventor) and F.G. Keller (a German inventor) invented a machine to process pulping wood used in making paper.
• Linen Rag Paper:
  • Definition: A heavy-duty paper made by pulping linen rag.
  • Invention: Invented by Johann Gutenberg prior to 1870.
• Rice Paper:
  • Source: Refers to paper made from parts of the rice plant, such as rice straw or straw of rice flour.
  • Geographic Usage: Extensively used in Japan and China.
  • Characteristics: Crafters enjoy using it due to its unique texture and slightly translucent appearance.
• Rag Paper:
  • Stability: Used for written documents, rag paper is more stable because no acidic additives are applied during papermaking.
• Esparto Paper:
  • Botanical Names: Derived from perennial grass species known as halfa grass (Macrochloa tenacissima) or needle grass (Stipa tenacissima).
  • Geographic Origin: Grown in Northwest Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
  • Applications: Used for traditional crafts such as making cords and baskets.
• Mechanical Pulp and Lignin Yellowing:
  • Lignin Content: Paper made from mechanical pulp contains significant amounts of lignin, a structural component substance in wood.
  • Chemical Degradation: When lignin is exposed to light and oxygen, it reacts chemically, imparting a yellow color to the paper material.

Industrial Papermaking Machines, Textures, and Watermarking

• Wove Papers and Fourdrinier Machines:
  • Definition: Papers produced by Fourdrinier machines are designated as wove papers.
  • Identification: Identified by the wire mesh that transports the fiber web, leaving a pattern that maintains identical density along the paper grains and across the grains.
• Laid Papers:
  • Creation: Created by using appropriate rollers in the later stages of the papermaking machine.
  • Texture: Forms the specific texture of wire patterns and watermarks in the finished paper.
• Dandy Roll:
  • Structure: A cylinder covered with woven wire that rides directly on the mat of fibers during the papermaking process.
  • Watermarking Mechanism: May feature raised or recessed designs affixed to its wire cover to mark the passing fiber sheet and create a watermark.

Major Classes and Chemical Compositions of Paper

• Major Paper Classes: The two primary classes of papers are writing papers and wrapping papers.
• High-Grade Writing Paper: Typically made from linen rags and generally contains a watermark.
• Writing Papers & Printing Stock:
  • Writing papers are often made with chemical pulp and may or may not contain a watermark.
  • Paper produced for books, magazines, and general printing is manufactured entirely from chemically treated wood pulp.
• Wrapping Papers:
  • Historical/Alternative Composition: May be made from jutes, glossy fibers, hemps, herbs, old rope, and other substances.
  • Modern Standard Composition: Today, almost all wrapping papers are made entirely from chemical wood pulp.