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Chinese history has experienced stages such as primitive society, slave society, and feudal society, spanning over five thousand years. Throughout this extensive period, our ancestors employed various natural or processed materials for record-keeping and writing in order to aid memory, document experiences, transmit knowledge, and compose literary works. Methods documented in ancient texts or uncovered through archaeological discoveries include knot-tying records, oracle bone inscriptions, stone drum steles, bamboo slips, and silk fabric (缣帛), among others.
Among the aforementioned early recording methods, bamboo slips and silk fabric were the most widely used, with bamboo slips being particularly prevalent. "Jian du" is a general term referring to several types of writing media, including bamboo slips, wooden slips, bamboo tablets, and wooden tablets. Of these, bamboo slips and wooden tablets were more commonly utilized. Writing on long and narrow strips of bamboo or wood was referred to as bamboo slips or wooden slips, while writing on wider bamboo or wooden boards was called bamboo tablets or wooden tablets. In the Eastern Han Dynasty text "Lunheng" by Wang Chong, it was recorded: "Bamboo grows in mountains and wood in forests. Bamboo is cut into slips, split into sheets, and marked with ink to form characters. Wood is similarly processed into sheets and cut into boards, then scraped to create memorials." This passage describes precisely these items.
Silk fabric (缣帛) is a type of woven textile that can be cut and sewn into clothing, as well as used for writing and drawing. Compared to bamboo slips, it is softer, smoother, easier to brush and roll, and less cumbersome or prone to scattering. However, due to its high cost, silk fabric could not be widely adopted.
Cai Lun served as a Zhongchangshi and Shangfangling during the reign of Emperor He of the Han Dynasty, overseeing the production of court supplies. According to historical records, he was "talented and learned, diligent and prudent," qualities that contributed to his success in innovation. In the ninth year of Yongyuan (97 AD), he supervised the manufacture of secret swords and various weapons, all of which were exquisitely crafted and meticulously produced, gaining recognition across generations. It was also noted that "he often secluded himself at home during breaks, avoiding guests and immersing himself in fieldwork," indicating his frequent engagement with folk practices related to soaking hemp, boiling kudzu, and weaving. His dedication to research allowed him to deepen his understanding of plant fibers and raw materials, aligning his work with societal needs and public expectations. After prolonged efforts in research and development, Cai Lun successfully created a new type of writing paper in 105 AD (the first year of Yuanxing in the Eastern Han Dynasty), using discarded fishing nets, old cloth scraps, hemp remnants, and tree bark.
The historical fact of Cai Lun's invention of papermaking is clearly documented in the "History of the Later Han": "Since ancient times, many books and contracts have been written on bamboo slips, and silk fabric was also used for writing." Silk fabric, although convenient, was expensive and heavy, making it inconvenient for widespread use. Cai Lun innovatively used tree bark, hemp heads, rags, and fishing nets to produce paper. In the first year of Yuanxing (105 AD), he presented his invention to the emperor, who approved its adoption. Consequently, people across the country began using what became known as "Cai Hou Paper." Other ancient texts also reference Cai Lun's papermaking techniques. For example, the "Natural History" states: "Cai Lun boiled tree bark to make paper" and "Cai Lun began pounding old fishing nets to make paper." The "Collected Explanations of the History of the Later Han Dynasty" notes: "Cai Lun crushed old cloth and fishing nets to make paper." The processes described-crushing, boiling, pounding, and shredding-correspond to modern papermaking procedures such as cutting raw materials, steaming, pulping, and forming paper. Terms like "Zao Yi" and "Shi Dong" imply pioneering efforts, highlighting Cai Lun's role as the first to utilize rags, fishing nets, and bast plant bark to create plant fiber paper suitable for writing. The fundamental principles and major manufacturing processes of Cai Lun's papermaking method remain relevant worldwide today.