Historical Paper
Record of the Month! This month we are featuring the types of paper that can be found in the Licking County Records & Archives Center. Today as our digital society moves more towards paperless everything, it is easy to forget that paper and its production were revolutionary technological breakthroughs. In fact, the various techniques used to manufacture high quality paper were closely guarded secrets among tradesmen for centuries. Prior to paper and paper-like substances, people would record all manner of things by carving stone, bones and clay tablets. Paper as we define it today is made from macerated or water softened fibers, which are pressed together to make a thin continuous sheet. The first paper-like substances were papyrus and rice paper, however due to how these materials are produced they are not considered true paper. Papyrus is made out of thin reeds that are cut and “laminated” together with paste. Rice paper is not actually paper, but thin spirally cut