<P> Paper is a white material primarily used for writing , first invented in ancient China . Although contemporary precursors such as papyrus and amate existed in the Mediterranean world and pre-Columbian Americas , respectively , these materials are not defined as true paper . The first papermaking process was documented in China during the Eastern Han period ( 25 - 220 C.E. ) , traditionally attributed to the court official Cai Lun . During the 8th century , Chinese papermaking spread to the Islamic world , where pulp mills and paper mills were used for money making . By the 11th century , papermaking was brought to medieval Europe , where it was refined with the earliest known paper mills utilizing waterwheels . Later Western improvements to the papermaking process came in the 19th century with the invention of wood - based papers . </P>
<P> Paper is a white material primarily used for writing , first invented in ancient China . Although contemporary precursors such as papyrus and amate existed in the Mediterranean world and pre-Columbian Americas , respectively , these materials are not defined as true paper . The first papermaking process was documented in China during the Eastern Han period ( 25 - 220 C.E. ) , traditionally attributed to the court official Cai Lun . During the 8th century , Chinese papermaking spread to the Islamic world , where pulp mills and paper mills were used for money making . By the 11th century , papermaking was brought to medieval Europe , where it was refined with the earliest known paper mills utilizing waterwheels . Later Western improvements to the papermaking process came in the 19th century with the invention of wood - based papers . </P>
where did the technique of making paper originate
where did the technique of making paper originate
ancient China
ancient China