By Peter Dekker
Being credited with the invention of a papermaking process as early as the second century CE, and with having even earlier references to paper-like materials, China is commonly believed to be the first nation to put paper to widespread use. Apart from the obvious use of paper for letters, books, and paintings it was also made into kites, shoe soles, blankets, fans, umbrellas, and even mattresses. The Chinese are also believed to be the inventors of wallpaper and paper money. But perhaps one of the most peculiar uses the Chinese found for paper was that of making armor for its military.

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Reproduced with permission from Hand Papermaking vol. 24, no. 2 (Winter 2009)
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