The Background of Paper
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009
by Mark Bartley
The need for communication between people has always been the primary reason for the invention of m
Many different materials since the ancient times of Egypt and Greece have been used as paper. The first paper mill was first built in the United Kingdom in the 1400s, which marked the beginning of widespread use of paper throughout Britain. By the 1800s, over 10,000 tons of paper was being produced in the UK by over 500 paper mills located throughout the country!
The first machine designed to create paper envelopes was patented in 1845. It had been common practice, before the introduction of the paper envelope, to fold the letter or document written and use it as an envelope. Even after the introduction of the paper envelope, they were not widely used until the British government took monopoly control of the postal service and instituted the use of the diamond design envelope in the mid 1800s. The purpose of paper envelopes at this time was to primarily to attach a stamp; making it the sender's responsibility for payment of delivery of the letter.
Early envelopes were also created as a marketing tool. Seen as an inexpensive way to advertise products and services, many were created with designs or logos of specific companies.
Specialty paper supplies, such as copier paper, did not begin serious production until the use of copy machines grew in the 1930s. As the machines evolved and became more complex, the need for a heavier paper became a primary concern of paper manufacturers.
The making of copier paper has created an industry that is very niche-focused, with some manufacturers creating copier paper for specific copy machines. These papers meet a machine's unique weight standards, and some machines cannot function properly without the appropriate copier paper used in them. Other manufacturers create copier paper that is specifically made for photo copiers. This paper is heavier than most paper and also has a special coating that not only creates a photograph, but also absorbs the colours that are imprinted on it so that the copy will last as long as the original picture.
As paper supplies have evolved with the needs of consumers throughout the world, there are now paper envelopes that can be used effectively in copy machines or computer printers, as well as postcards and heavy paper that can be used for flyers.
When a paper envelope is created on a computer printer, people often use a heavy paper that can be modified to fit an envelope, but then be unfolded and posted as a flyer.
Although the advent of technology and email has greatly reduced the use of paper envelopes and paper that is normally used for letter writing, the need for printer and copier paper has grown, and the types of paper (in terms of weight and style) continues to evolve as people find new uses for their personal computer printers.
Paper comes in an ever-growing number of forms now. From expensive, premium varieties through recycled products to very low cost types of paper. It's provided in book or loose format, and with or without overprinting of lines or grids. More information about paper for use at home and in business is provided by Mark Bartley on his various information sites
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I learned while reading, Mark. Thanks for the info on paper and envelopes.
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