How the invention of paper changed the world

With the Newark Valley Historical Society Folk Art Series featuring the use of paper in three upcoming workshops that include Paste Papers on April 14, Coptic Book Binding on April 21, and Nature Sketching on May 5, they thought it could be interesting to learn some fun facts about the importance and history of paper. 

Posh you say! It’s just paper. 

Although they do take it for granted, a BBC article, located at www.bbc.com/news/the-reporters-38892687, shows how paper has changed the world and made the modern economy. 

And that’s a “big deal” as the saying goes, all because paper has allowed us a vehicle for communication in the business world. 

In addition to that is the equally vital communication by visual artists and creative writers. Using paper is essential to every project in writing, sketching, painting, book arts and so much more.  

For the visual arts, just take a look at the Pinterest website for endless projects that use paper or pulp; sculpture, quilling, altered books, weaving, jewelry, formed bowls, origami, cut papers, etc. 

And on the business side, even though we hear about going paperless, as much paper as ever is needed in the business world. Plus, in this digital age, we still gravitate towards paper for its many practical uses and accessibility; think a note to a friend or a grocery list.  

The most fascinating part is that paper has a history thousands of years in the making. And cultures around the globe contributed to the development of paper and communication in various forms, based on the use of animal, vegetable or mineral. Over the millennia China, Egypt, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States all contributed to the development of the paper we know today.

You may read the full article at http://www.bbc.com/news/the-reporters-38892687.

To learn more about the Folk Art workshops, watch for them on calendar pages of the Owego Pennysaver, or visit nvhistory.org. 

Participants may decide to take all three folk art workshops; which can result in their own hand made journal or artist book. Or you may decide to take just one of the three projects. Each is a great workshop taught by a professional artist and may be registered for separately.