Historical contribution
What Lun contributed
Paper developed in China from experiments with fibrous sheets before the famous 105 CE court report associated with Cai Lun. Archaeological finds have pushed paper before his lifetime, so he should not be presented as a lone inventor. His importance lies in the historical record of improved manufacture and court adoption.
Why it mattered
Lowers the mass, cost and supply constraints of writing sheets.
Connected topics
Where this fits in ITEM
Evidence
Sources and further reading
- A Short History of Paper in Imperial China:
Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures
- Paper:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival