What is Paper?

Paper is instantly recognisable and used around the world to record writing and to print books and newspapers.

It is a thin sheet material made from any type of cellulose (wood, rags, grass or other vegetable matter).

Papermaking was invented by Cai Lun in China in 105BC. Tiny pieces of paper made from hemp fibres still exist.

Paper was made from recycled rags, until the mid 19th century when the wood pulp making process was invented.

You can also find out about card and cardboard.