Paper - history review of manufacture and use

Tradicija zapisivanja ljudskog znanja seže u daleku povijest. Prije papira neki od glavnih materijala za zapisivanje ljudskog znanja bili su kamen, drvo, papirus, pergamena i sl., koji su korišteni kod starih civilizacija poput Sumerana i Egipćana. Izumom papira u Kini u 2. st. prije Krista i njegovim dolaskom u Europu preko Arapa nekoliko stoljeća poslije mijenja se način zapisivanja znanja, a veliku je ulogu papir odigrao i u povijesti tiskarstva. Jedni od prvih mlinova u Europi razvili su se u Italiji koja je zbog toga bila jedan od najvećih izvoznika papira i njime opskrbljivala velik dio Europe (posebno je poznat po kvalitetnom papiru bio grad Fabriano koji se ističe i vodenim znakovima (filigranima) koje utiskuje u svoj papir). U Hrvatskoj se proizvodnja papira razvija krajem 17. i u 18. stoljeću. Danas se upotrebljavaju raznolike vrste papira, i, iako je digitalno doba u punom zamahu, papir i dalje ostaje glavni materijal za zapisivanje znanja i medij za razmjenu informacija. Tradition of writing down human knowledge has a long history. Before paper some of the most used writing materials were stone, wood, papyrus, parchment etc., which were used by the ancient civilizations such as Sumerians and Egyptians. Discovery of paper in China in 2nd century B.C and its arrival in Europe via Arabsa few centuries later changed the way of writing human knowledge, and paper played a significant role in the history of printing. Some of the first paper mills in Europe developed in Italy, and because of that Italy was the greatest exporter of paper for the needs of whole Europe (the city of Fabriano was especially known for its excellent quality paper with watermarks that were pressed into paper). The production of paper in Croatia starts in 17th and 18th century. Many different kinds of paper are in use today and, even if the digital era is in full swing, paper still stays the most important writing material and medium for knowledge exchange.