Cai Lun and a World-Changing Idea
Long ago, in the year 105 CE, during the Han Dynasty, an official named Cai Lun made an important invention in China. Before his time, people wrote on bamboo, silk, or animal bones. These materials were heavy, expensive, or hard to carry. Cai Lun wanted to create something lighter and easier to use.
He experimented with tree bark, old rags, hemp, and fishing nets. He broke these materials into small fibers, mixed them with water, and pressed them flat. When the mixture dried, it became a thin sheet—this was the first paper.
Paper quickly spread across China. It was cheaper than silk and easier than bamboo. Students, officials, and poets loved it. Books could be made faster, and ideas could travel farther. The invention of paper helped knowledge grow.
Later, paper spread to other countries along the Silk Road. By the 8th century, it reached the Middle East, and by the 11th century, it arrived in Europe. Eventually, paper changed the whole world. It made it possible to print books, share education, and keep records. Even today, we still use paper in schools, offices, and homes.
Cai Lun’s simple idea helped connect people through writing. He is remembered as one of the greatest inventors in history, and his creation continues to shape our daily lives.
Vocabulary List
- dynasty A line of rulers from the same family.
- official A person with an important job in the government.
- bamboo A tall plant with a hard, woody stem.
- rag An old piece of cloth.
- fiber A thin thread from plants or cloth.
- sheet A thin, flat piece of material.
- poet A person who writes poems.
- spread To move or reach from one place to another.
- record Information that is written down and kept.
- inventor A person who creates something new.
Comprehension Questions
- Who invented paper, and when did he live?
- What materials did people use for writing before paper?
- Why was paper better than silk or bamboo?
- How did paper spread to other parts of the world?
- Why is Cai Lun remembered as an important inventor?