Cai Lun-improving papermaking technology

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Cai Lun (61 / 63-121), with the word Jing Zhong, was born in Guiyang County in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the second year of Zhanghe (AD 88) when Emperor Yongping of the Han and Ming Dynasties entered the palace to serve, Cai Lun was promoted to the rank of Zhongchang attendant because of his meritorious service to the Empress Dowager. Cai Lun also served as the Minister of justice in the capacity of respecting Jiuqing.

Cai Lun Papermaking

When improving papermaking, director Cai Lun supervised the manufacture of various artifacts used in the palace. He picked out bark, rags and old fishing nets, and asked craftsmen to cut them up and soak them in a large pool. After a period of time, the sundries in it rotted away, and the fiber was not perishable, so it was retained. He then asked the craftsmen to pick up the soaked raw materials, put them into the stone mortar, and keep stirring until they become slurry. Then he picked up the sticky things with bamboo strips, and when they were dry, they took them off and turned them into paper. Cai Lun led the craftsmen to experiment repeatedly and trial produce paper that is light, thin and flexible, easy to obtain, widely sourced and cheap.

In the first year of Yuanxing (A.D. 105), Cai Lun presented paper to Emperor Hanhe. Cai Lun wrote a memorial of the method of papermaking and presented it to the emperor together with the paper. With the appreciation of the emperor, he ordered the use and promotion of it both inside and outside the imperial court, which was regarded as a miracle by all the officials of the imperial court and all over the country. Nine years later, Cai Lun was granted the title of "Dragon Pavilion Hou", with 300 households in Shiyi. Since the new papermaking method gradually implemented throughout the country was invented by Cai Lun, people call this kind of paper "Cai Hou paper".

Cai Lun's improved papermaking technology spread to the whole world along the Silk Road through Central Asia and Western Europe, making an indelible contribution to the inheritance and development of world civilization.

Cai Lun's improved papermaking technology is listed as the "four great inventions" in ancient China. It has made outstanding contributions to the spread of human culture and the progress of world civilization, and has been respected by people for thousands of years. It is regarded as the ancestor of papermaking and the "God of paper". Chua Lun ranked seventh in Mike Hart's list of 100 celebrities who have influenced the process of human history. Cai Lun was on the list of "the best inventor of all time" published by time magazine. At the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Cai Lun's improved papermaking was specially displayed.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
At Chinese Learning, protecting our customers' personal information is a top priority. We have implemented robust security measures to safeguard your data and prevent any unauthorized access or disclosure. For further information on our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy, which outlines our commitment to data protection and privacy.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all new students.If you are not satisfied with our services within the first month, you may cancel your lessons and receive a refund for any unused lessons.We will only charge you for the first month of lessons, and refund the remaining balance to you promptly.Our goal is to ensure your satisfaction with our services, and we strive to provide the highest quality of instruction and support to all of our students.
We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.