Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0046 Pictures From History » CPA0022865

China: A Chinese postage stamp commemorating Cai Lun (Ts'ai Lun), c. 50-121 CE, traditionally regarded as the inventor of paper and the paper-making process

China: A Chinese postage stamp commemorating Cai Lun (Ts'ai Lun), c. 50-121 CE, traditionally regarded as the inventor of paper and the paper-making process

Cai Lun (simplified Chinese: 蔡伦; traditional Chinese: 蔡倫; pinyin: Cài Lún; Wade–Giles: Ts'ai Lun) (ca. 50 CE – 121), courtesy name Jingzhong (敬仲), was a Chinese eunuch and political official. He is traditionally regarded as the inventor of paper and the papermaking process, in forms recognizable in modern times as paper (as opposed to papyrus).

Although early forms of paper had existed in China since the 2nd century BCE, he was responsible for the first significant improvement and standardization of paper-making by adding essential new materials into its composition.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: