Paper: A History

Wherever you stand on the changing face of media, it is easy for us now to forget what all of these new inventions and even their antecedents rely on, an invention almost more important to history than anything else: Paper.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by JCG
#history #thehistoryguy #Invention

[@briangarrow448]

I grew up in a small town that had a pulp and paper mill complex as it’s largest employer. My father worked at the “mill” for close to 40 years. He refused to help get any of his 3 sons a job at the mill. His reason was that he noticed how little money was spent on upgrades and replacing equipment and in his mind that meant the company was going to shutter the plant in the near future. He was absolutely correct in his opinion. I joined a construction apprenticeship program and came back to work at the mill on a few occasions. It was always nice to visit with the people who I had known as a youth. The mill hung on for a few years but finally closed. I am retired from my career now and when I visit my old hometown, the entire complex has been torn down and leveled. I will be eternally grateful for my father’s refusal to help get me hired there. I ended up traveling across North America building and repairing pulp and paper mills, oil refineries, power plants and mining equipment. My comfortable retirement is directly a result of my father’s ability to think long term. Great job, pops! You were right again!

[@Colonel_Overkill]

Out of curiosity, that happen to be located in east Tennessee? If not then the same story played out here as well.

[@pamwatterson3845]

As a former paper maker I totally agree

[@glennllewellyn7369]

My Dad (RIP) taught me excellent math, English and geography then had me attain engineering proficiencies etc. I am a beef farmer with a pilots license. Huweird!

[@NateGerardRealEstateTeam]

Your humble gratitude is wonderful to read. I wish you well in retirement.

[@dbmail545]

Here, I suspected that this was "Foley" Florida until you said it was closed. Still open south of Perry, but no longer allowed to pump their effluent into the Fenholloway River.

[@BBerckdano]

Paperback books never run out of battery and don’t care if you can pay the subscription that month. Their value is undeniable.

[@bushranger51]

So true, as a lad and young man I had an impressive (for me) library of paperbacks, which I re-read many times, so that many became that dog-earred from over reading, 30 years ago when computers were just becoming the thing to have, I was cajoled into giving up that precious library, and now I weep at all the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors I see everyday reading articles on the computer by youngsters who probably never even held anything so precious as a printed book in their hands.

[@Echowhiskeyone]

When the US Navy went paperless 20-some years ago, we went from one copy for all to read and initial as proof of reading to everyone printed a copy to read. A three page message turned into 60+ sheets of paper, read then burned. Paperless wasted even more paper.

[@Topknot60]

Not just there. The "paperless" revolution of the late 1980s/early 1990s led to more paper consumption worldwide.

[@rydplrs71]

I constantly print things, both for organizing and for the ability to easily put notes directly on my copy.

[@freeto9139]

Not to mention the fact that almost everyone needs their own computer now, just in case ... So, where we once dealt with excess paper; now, it is computers and printers and upgrades, AND plastic (tons of it) waste, everywhere you go!!!

[@SupremeOverlord10]

I took a computer class in the 1970s, there was a large rolling trash can right next to the print out window. It was always full. They were 'selling' computers as something that would limit tree killing. I thought there was something wrong with that conclusion.

[@hoodagooboy5981]

More proof that government IS the problem.

[@aimeepotts2137]

My favorite THG videos are the ones about everyday objects and food, things we don't really think about as we move through life. So much history can be learned about their development and uses through the ages. Thanks again!

[@rinardman]

I'm not a paperhanger, but I often need to paper over my mistakes. I use a lot of paper! 😁

[@makattak88]

Living in a city which runs a massive paper mill and coming from a family who logs wood for it, I found this fascinating.

[@phlodel]

Do paper mills still exude that lovely odor?

[@makattak88]

@@phlodel Absolutely!

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

@@phlodel If you mean the "lovely" sauerkraut and fecal smell then yes, they do.

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

In my experience, whenever an organisation tried to go paperless the actual consumption of paper increases. People in general are tactile and like to touch their work.

[@gus473]

My tank pumper isn't..... 🤷🏻‍♂️😅✌🏼

[@freeto9139]

@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket I sincerely hope you're taking eye vitamins, and getting 10 minutes of full sunlight most every day. You maybe under 50 now; but, i guarantee the screens you use are taking a toll on your eyesight ... just saying

[@rhynosouris710]

@@Brap-pl2me I also work in IT, and endorse your comment.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket Technology fails. It is not a matter of "if," it is a matter of "when." Most people over fifty have seen technology crash and take out all of someone's work, personal records (work related; personal contacts, bank info, etc.), and "proof of" files. Knowing it will happen to someone, or to a business, with confidence that no paper backup copies of what is most important are needed, seems sad.

[@davidcritchley5993]

I worked in a Paper Mill in Virginia that had some of the largest bleached board paper machines in the world. A review of these massive machines and the modern paper making process from tree to final product would be very interesting.

[@r3dp9]

It would also dispel the myth that saving on paper saves the environment. Yes, not wasting resources is better for the environment, but in this case not by as much as youd think. The paper for paper production comes primarily from tree farms, not forests and certainly not tropical rainforest.

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

@@r3dp9 if you want more trees planted in the US the fastest way to make it happen is to drastically increase paper use.

[@TheJagjr4450]

@@hewhohasnoidentity4377 there are more trees in the US today than there were in 1900. I was the VP of sales in the bleached paperboard and converting business for 20 years. We stocked a few thousand tons and moved 1500 tons a month mostly in truck load quantities. We bought by rail and shipped by truck and can. My grandfather designed and built then acquired recycled paper mills for Caraustar Industries.

[@mikeorclem]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILNZn6lppWNrrc&ab_channel=TomorrowTech

[@fredholley6248]

Covington by chance?

[@shadowjack8]

Nothing better than opening up an old book and getting a whiff of that aroma. Hello old friend, it says, lets go on an adventure.

[@kirkwilson10]

Tennessee River Pulp & Paper Company, Counce Tennessee. Packaging Corporation of America now. Got to work 3 summers there because my Momma was the nurse and it paid my way through college. Probably the most fascinating and scary dangerous place I ever worked. Kraft liner board was the product, you know, the ribbed insides of cardboard. In my 3rd summer I got bumped up to Technical Division taking samples off the giant rolls as they "turned up" and came off the line. My first experience with graveyard shift, oh my goodness,the fog of 3 a.m..... It's still there and still supplying me with the mirth of introducing students from other places to its unique aroma, pure culture shock, Ha!

[@ArchFundy]

My first thought when someone mentions or asks for a "paper" is somewhat different than anything mentioned here. As a teen in the late '60's and early '70's our papers usually were about 2.5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and had a glue strip running down one side. With a few of those and a copy of LOTR, paper could make for a very enjoyable weekend.

[@katmannsson]

I prefer 1.25s myself 🤣

[@sandybarnes887]

Must be kutcorners ones

[@freeto9139]

Rainbow papers were the order of the day ... Dukat '71 (in EP) was where you could find them ... The "DoDa Man" was everyone's mascot; thanks Jerry and the gang!

[@kleinjahr]

Border guard, “Your papers please” Hippy,”All I have is a pipe”

[@freeto9139]

@@kleinjahr You can't say that; they'll confiscate it! Paper is safer ...

[@stevedietrich8936]

THG rockin' the "Mister Rogers" look today. It is indeed a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

[@miamijules2149]

You think…. he’d be…. my neighbor?

[@MultiPetercool]

@@miamijules2149 Sure, he knows you Special!

[@porschetech72901]

Steve if you have never done so look up the man whom was "mr Rogers" .... he was a real badass (IMO) .... basically 180 degree different than the man we grew up watchin on tv.... lol jus sayin... i have MAD respect for mr Rogers

[@xaenon]

It *_IS_* a good day when the History Guy posts a new video. About almost anything, really.

[@masterskrain2630]

When I was a truck driver, I hauled many a load of massive rolls of paper from mills in Massachusetts and Connecticut, destined to be made into newspapers and books nationwide. 7 rolls weighed almost 45,000 pounds!

[@HM2SGT]

When I started as a medic & firefighter 36 years ago, it really was “paperwork”. Nowadays, I write PCR on computer… & its still called paperwork, & it’s still a drag ‘writing’ while being jostled & jiggled as we roll along.

[@charlesdudek7713]

Same here. I was a police officer/detective for 36 years. Prior to computers I used real cut and paste. When lengthy statements had to be put on two different forms, I would photocopy one form which I had typed the statement on, cut out the entered text and paste it on the other form and photocopy that form. I loved the introduction of computers. Digital cut and paste was much quicker!

[@HM2SGT]

@@charlesdudek7713 Amen brother! 😹 👍 If somebody had told me three and a half decades ago that I'd miss paper reports, I probably have giggled in the most unmanly manner. Used to be you had your frequent flyer is already filled out and all you had to do was enter the date and the vitals, nowadays I have to generate a new one from scratch. Every. Single. Time!😭 I am not what you would call the world's most accomplished typist shall we say?😹

[@charlesdudek7713]

@@HM2SGT It depends on how user friendly the software is. With some software, once you enter information, it will auto fill the next time you have to enter anything repetitive. But, it seems the newer the software the worse it gets. Maybe software engineers aren't as good. Idk. Have a good day!

[@kevind814]

I once had a large book collection, bought into digital, donated my paper books, then lost the digital books to obsolete e-reader/source. I once had a large movie collection, bought into streaming, donated my DVDs, then lost access to streaming service (or they lost license to stream). I once had a large music collection, learned my lesson from above, ripped all my CDs, and keep them backed up. I've reacquired most of my favorite paper books, and will only get paper unless not produced in that medium.

[@jonbradley4789]

I had the great fortune to have an elementary school experience in the early seventies where we students had lessons on making our own paper by shredding used telephone books and using a strong kitchen blender to create our own paper slurry to then pour out onto what I remember as an ordinary wood framed window screen. We learned about lignin and cellulose. I fondly recall waiting for the paper to dry and peeling it from the screen and after hanging our little sheets of paper on an ordinary clothes line with wooden spring loaded cloth pins, we were able to create our own artwork or written words on said paper. I love your content, please keep up the good work!

[@ai4px]

Something that made paper cheaper was a process developed in the 1930’s. Today we use lime and steam to dissolve the fibers and separate the pitch from fibers. This caustic pitch is known as black liquor and burned in a recovery boiler to make more steam. The lime precipitates down to the bottom of the boiler where it is “recovered” for reuse on the next batch of wood chips. Thanks to this process most paper mills make enough excess energy to feed to power grid. One mill I have worked at makes 113Mw. Depending on the wholesale cost of electricity they sometimes prioritize selling power above making paper.

[@kentpurrington2645]

Found this fascinating, it reminded me of when my grandfather gave me a tour of where he worked, Marathon papermill, Rothchild, WI.

[@webbtrekker534]

Back in the 1970's thru about 2002 I collected old books. I usually tried to collect books printed on rag paper as it is of much higher quality. I discovered that after about 1800 books began moving to pulp paper and the paper itself would over time begin "foxing" or developing brown spots and even darken over age as it was exposed to light due to the acids in the pulp. It also turns brittle and books can literally crumble in your hands. I still have most of my books that date between 1636 and up through the late 19th century. The older books are still soft and supple in feel (you can feel the type used in the printing process) and emit a wonderful smell of age that can't be done on a tablet!

[@mbgrafix]

I once worked decades ago for one of the largest printers in America (at the time) named Treasure Chest Advertising. The printing presses used those enormous, couple-thousand pounds rolls of paper shown in your thumbnail. They are moved by a special designed forklift type machine, but it has claw-like apparatus rather than forks, and the presses ran at an incredible 50,000 impressions per hour! Changing paper rolls involved an ingenious machine called a Butler, which would essentially tape together the end of the old roll onto the beginning of the new roll without having to stop the press! It happened on the fly!

[@t5ruxlee210]

Paper mills were vital assets in wartime and required feedstock from the northern forests of Canada and Scandinavia because the trees growing there were the least troublesome in the complex processes used in papermaking at the time. New papermills were constructed in wartime and old mills were refurbished on the highest priority because paper was consumed in ever escalating huge amounts throughout these wars. The "pulpwood" was cut throughout the winters and stacked to go into the rivers on the spring floods where it would be carried down to the paper mills or railheads for moving it further south. Much of the woodcutting work in Northern Ontario was done by German and Italian POWs until the forests became impossible with the spring return of the black flies, etc.

[@cynthiaslater7445]

I have ebooks but I will never give up my paper books. The feel of the different textures and the musty smell of old books are things I have loved since I was a child. I lived in libraries and used book stores rather than nightclubs.

[@marinablueGS]

I worked for a tissue manufacturer during the construction and start-up phase of a new facility. It's a fascinating and complex process. The cloudy water is sprayed on a special screen and transported through several rollers that dry it to a moist state. When it can support itself it leaves the screen and goes to a huge finishing roller called a yankee, then is rolled onto a master roll which is then removed to the converting plant where it is cut into the small rolls of tissue we use in our bathrooms. I don't remember the exact process duration from cloudy water to master roll, but I think it takes less than 15 seconds. Simply amazing.

[@skyking95]

It has also been thought that the use of fibers by the Chinese came about when they saw how a wasp would take fiber and beat it and form the nest. If you look and touch a wasps nest you will see that it is actually a form of paper. BTW, it is not only Acid in paper but the lignin that is the glue that holds the wood fibers together that causes the paper to turn brown over time. To make “bright white paper” the mills will remove the lignin then bleach.The best thing we can do for the survival of the forest is to use paper! Cutting the old trees allows the young saplings to grow. The old trees will consume all the nutrients and sun light which then “stunts” a young saplings growth. At the paper company I worked for for every tree taken, 4 are planted! Excellent history!! Love that you mentioned Hammermill Paper which is now part of Sylvamo Papers (spun off from International Paper).

[@Jbot123]

I make the paper every week, literally. I'm the publisher of a small town newspaper in southern Illinois that's been going for over 130 years.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Nothing will ever replace an old musty book full of adventure for me, certainly not a machine.🐝🤗❤️

[@ProudCanadian1959]

Next to my wife, there's nothing I love more in my hands than a good book. Not an e-book, paperbacks or hardcover. There's an amazing smell in a bookstore. Thanks HG. I always said that, You could do an episode on toilet paper and it would be interesting...I wasn't wrong.

[@SarahDigsHockey]

Thank you. This video confirms my devotion to actual books.

[@HM2SGT]

It’s amazing how much we waste. Once so rare & therefore valuable, now it’s just taken for granted.

[@jerometaperman7102]

I like the way you include how language is affected by whatever subject you are addressing.

[@alancranford3398]

On my wall is a framed piece of papyrus that I purchased as a tourist in Cairo about a quarter century ago. The papyrus had been made in modern times for sale to the tourist trade.

[@alifishies]

You know you've lost your mind when you're researching paper around 3 in the morning. It's been at least 4 years, and I'm still not over it. I physically can't stop marvelling over things related to paper. Everything from the materials, printing, bookbinding, oregami, and pop-up art. Pls. help me

[@mcpartyhikes8636]

I look forward to the one-liners referring to one-liners on whatever subject you do on the day after Father's Day. A history of "dad jokes" perhaps? 🤷‍♂️

[@macnachten8822]

I work for a company that...makes paper. Through the pandemic, we were and are considered "essential". In part, because paper, is still essential!

[@lololomo5484]

Paper is essential, and you better believe it. That's why in the pandemic, the first thing to disappear from store shelves was TP. It's the same thing in every pandemic. Hah.

[@edoardodalpra4742]

Dunder Mifflin!

[@zach7193]

You know, anything that the History Guy talks about it's great.

[@xaenon]

That was similar to my reaction to this video. "THG can make almost anything interesting."

[@nossonsachs3655]

I'm a big fan of the History channel and watch you often. Thank you for this most interesting installment. You neglected however to note that the Hebrew scriptures were written on parchment throughout the first millennia before the common era and that among the most extensive libraries of Europe and the Middle East were the talmud and it's extensive commentaries written first on parchment and later on paper.

[@Kennymac8251]

I love the experience of reading a newspaper. The smell, the feel, the sound when turning the page or folding it and holding it especially whilst having breakfast, all so very comforting. The sterile e-reader is abhorrent. I actually get antsy if my paper being delivered is late.

[@erichusayn]

Nothing beats the smell of cracking open a good, old book. Only thing that beats that is the smell of the person you love...

[@freeto9139]

What a great reminder ... Some things (the best things in life) never change!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I completely agree 🐝🤗❤️

[@51WCDodge]

Plus- Ever seen a second hand E Reader shop? What would be the fun if you couldn't pop into the odd charity shop and just browse the books?

[@erichusayn]

@@51WCDodge good point

[@51WCDodge]

@@erichusayn Thank you.

[@avilacanario]

Ya' didn't mention the paper bags. I know, I know, the plastic bag took ova'. In my younger days, I worked as a security guard at an Owens-Illinois. I remember walking around the facility and watching the process of making paper, cardboard boxes, and bottles and jars, ah, the good ol' days. It brings a tear. 😢

[@TheWoodensong]

As a young teenager, my family was close with the family who owned and operated the local news paper in my small Texas town. On Wednesdays I would go down to the newspaper print room and would pick a few bucks helping to insert the various sections in the proper order as well as stuff inserts (advertising,, comic strips, etc) to complete the week’s largest issue of the week...I also helped deliver papers to the news vending machines around town. Eventually one of the typesetters took me aside and started teaching me the very most basics of typesetting and at 13-14 years of age, I thought I was the coolest kid in town. This episode was was very cool and I’ll have to check the documentary on Magellan TV about the book printers. Now at age 70, I feel sorry for the kids of today who will never know the old school arts & science skills and experiences that we grew up with. In fact, I wondered how many youngsters were scratching their heads when you used terms like “codex” and “codices”, as well as all of cute and corny colloquialisms you were throwing around near the end. As always, a great episode Lance! You Rock! - “Ol’ Scooter” in East Texas...

[@dianayount2122]

Interesting transformation in the "owners manuals" for cars. Initially there was the solo owners manual. Then a very small booklet with vcr tape so you could 'watch" your owners manual, you likely could contact the company and request a "hard copy" of the manual. Think next in the evolution was a cd to watch on your computer. Jumping to current day, the "owners manual" is back to paper copies with a mini quick guide and then a much larger manual that is organized by an group of attorneys and egg head engineers (rather then consumers needing information) with paper copies of the warranties for the tires, auto in it's own little fabric carrier. In all that paper/information, can't find much that is useful when you need it. Unless I get stranded, and needed to start a fire...

[@baldeagle5297]

I know you can't cover everything in a short video, but It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on how the pulps, and then the comics helped literacy in the US.

[@jessicamorris4748]

He actually has a video on paperback books that talks about some of these things.

[@declanoleary1]

Great episode, will have to return to it multiple times, as sooo much crammed in the episode.

[@matthewsecord7641]

Imagine the impact of the ability of anyone to preserve data beyond their own lifetime. It must have been a cornerstone of development.

[@goodun2974]

Historians such as THG here, as well as criminal investigators, will rue the day when no one uses paper and no one leaves a paper trail anymore. Rewriting and sanitizing history, or escaping criminal prosecution, will be much easier when all evidence of actions or crimes is digitized.

[@51WCDodge]

Battries don't go flat. Programming dosen't change. Compatability isn't a problem. And! very releveant , it is a Physical record. Not just a collection of electrons that can be altered with no trace.

[@bjduncc]

Digital forensics leave far more evidence than physical ever would

[@bunzeebear2973]

But not at the moment. The election of 2016 tried digitizing and there were problems of hacking. . The election of 2020 left a paper trail that could be recounted 10 times and the number was about the same as the ballots never changed weeks after the vote was cast. . Money is not paper but has cloth is in it.

[@D-Vinko]

@@51WCDodge "altered with no trace" The entire field of computer forensics is calling you stupid.

[@kimfleury]

There's a holdover paper mill in my town right on the big St. Clair River at the mouth of Lake Huron. It began when lumber was still an industry here, and hung on through the post-lumber era. It nearly went out of business when the Dunn Paper company left, but the employees managed to buy the operation and keep it going. For a while they were the country's supplier of hospital gowns -- those temporary paper ones. I heard they make fast food wrappers nowadays. It's a clean operation, no stink, and highly mitigated pollution controls. The name was changed when the employees bought it, then it was changed back to Dunn Paper at one point. As far as I'm aware that's what it's still officially named, although that's what we locals call it regardless.

[@lynnsample4549]

I worked off and on in the paper industry in my career. Just shy of half was spent in one mill or another. Got to see a lot of the continental USA and Canada and learned a great deal. Thanks again for another great video!

[@orboakin8074]

Never get tired of your videos, sir. So glad to see such objective and well researched historical discussions and analyses. Thanks and keep them coming!

[@laserbeam002]

Loved this post. Thank you. I remember my IT dean at college saying many many years ago that we will never become a paperless society until we fully trust each other. We want a hard copy of receipts for everything. We want contract drawn up on paper and permits that we can carry in our wallets and purses or put up at home in a safe place....etc.

[@warrenmccormick3599]

I was in the printing industry from 1968 to 2016. In the 1980's paper mills began to include lime (calcium carbonate) in the chemical composition of paper. By the early 2000's , paper mills were trying to "bulk up the paper with as much cheap lime as they could. This dramatically changed paper from acidic to alkaline. This change caused a great many changes in printing with regard to chemistry.

[@fulkthered]

Thought maybe you would have worked in a quote attributed to Winston Churchill "America where the toilet paper is too thin and newspapers are too thick".

[@Angry_Dinosaur]

Thanks. This was good.

[@rwarren58]

You can actually smell an old book and bring back wonderful memories. You can't do that do today.

[@gravit8ed]

I work in a paper mine - every day, a truck shows up with paper ore, and we spend most of the night stripping the ore of crap that w put on shelves. Then we take that seperated ore to the baler in the back of the building, where we compress the lose-leaf paper ore into giant, much more pure bales that get picked up in the morning. I'm not kidding, actually, I work in a large chain grocery store and I push thousands of pounds of cardboard out the door every week after it's single-use mission is done.

[@michaelwarren2391]

The only allusion I could think of that you missed was referring to (cheap) paperback books as 'pulps'. Another excellent presentation.

[@AMorgan57]

As a law student in the prior millennium, I became attached to a particular form of paper, available in the local college bookstore. Loose-leaf, three-holed, college-ruled, canary yellow, cut with rounded corners as most loose-leaf paper is. I continued to use that for many years after, practicing law. Then they quit making it, I could not find it anywhere online, and even called the mfr, who said not enough students buying that anymore. I mourn to this day.

[@frankboyd7993]

Given the decline of printed newspapers, most US paper manufacturers are discontinuing production of newsprint forcing procurement from places like Finland and, of course, China. This is also impacting papers used for printing books, forcing more book production off shore.

[@rbmossx1432]

A documentary about paper should be very dull but this man can make it interesting. That’s a good history teacher.

[@corkycobon1481]

I, like yourself, have a very deep and abiding love for books. I am very much a book hoarder. I still have my very first book given to me (Charlotte's Web) in my bookcase. I do like eBooks but there is nothing better than being able to smelled the paper and ink when you open a new book.

[@51WCDodge]

No known cure for the problem

[@shawnharrington9548]

In my personal opinion, this is my favorite episode. Thank you.

[@DGill48]

My two favorite bookmakers were Jimmy the Iceman and Big Jonny. Both were honest, had clean records and always got to the track on time. And, they always found YOU to pay up right away.

[@matthewpoplawski8740]

AS ALWAYS THE HISTORY GUY, AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!! I worked as an offset pressman for 37 years(I'm now retired).The video of the making of the big rolls of paper brought back some memories (we used to get a brand of newsprint so bad that you could pieces of tree bark,and,sometimes, twigs coming out of wrapper the newsprint was in). SO GLAD TO SEE in the comments that most prefer paper books instead of that @#$$%% E-BOOKS(THEY...ARE...NOT...BOOKS!!!!). MR. LANCE, there IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE between paper books and E-BOOKS. For instance, if you see an alliteration that is pleasing, or,wish to highlight or save a particular passage, you can do this with a paper book. YOU CANNOT DO THIS WITH AN E-BOOK!!!!✌✌✌✌

[@trumpetmom8924]

I love it when you use all the idioms related to an item or topic! It just makes me smile.😊

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

This was very satisfying to watch. Thanks.

[@lp-xl9ld]

There are people I know who can't believe that I still read actual on-paper books rather than electronic or audio. What can I say: there's something that you just can't get out of an e-book...

[@surlyogre1476]

...and all you need is a light-source of some kind. ;-)

[@rogerblakesley3201]

My guess is that those people you know that say that are, themselves, not reading books at all; but may claim to do so.

[@williamhughmurraycissp8405]

A generation or two ago, I suggested that the man who would build the last library for books already walked and talked. The romantics are still winning and we are still building libraries. I recently visited the Yale University Library. It is as beautiful as you might imagine. One of its features is row upon row of beautiful wooden cabinets, now all empty but which used to hold the "card catalog."

[@1dedrer]

I work with Thermal Paper that “prints” (converts from white to black) when heat is applied. Our company makes printers that uses heaters/resistors in the printheads (8 per millimeter) to convert/print on thermal paper. No ink is needed‼️ You see usually see this paper used for receipts at checkout for a purchase.

[@dirtcop11]

It should be noted that most of the trees that become pulpwood are trees that are not suitable for lumber. We have more land covered by trees now than just 150 years ago. This is because in the Great Plains states trees only grew along rivers and creeks. When the plains were burned off every year the tree saplings got killed. We have more managed forests that are actually planted by people than we ever had before. BTW, did you know they use scraps from the blue jeans makers in our money? They use denim to make it more durable.

[@ernestbywater411]

I think he wrapped that subject up properly.

[@cmonkey63]

I'm glad that origami got a visual mention. We also use waxed paper to wrap meat, and baking paper (who knows what that's made of?) to protect our bakeware. More than 2 dimensions to this subject.

[@sandybarnes887]

Parchment paper, or vegetable parchment, is a cellulose-based composite that has been processed to give it additional properties like non-stickiness, grease resistance, and resistance to humidity. It is commonly used in baking as a disposable non-stick, grease resistant surface.

[@cmonkey63]

@@sandybarnes887 Neat! Thanks. This is the kind of conversation I wish we all had more of in the comment section.

[@sandybarnes887]

@@cmonkey63 you are most welcome

[@zelphx]

@13:25, I realized that I haven't been to the library on too long a time. I still have my card... so I am off to the "special collections room" at our local library.

[@katchoo1865]

Love your enthusiasm when you present your topics. Never would have thought a topic on paper could be as interesting as you made it. Have chuckled a few times listening along as you dramatically describe the history of the topic of the day. Keep bringing us more great narrated content.

[@richardanderson2742]

When Bill Gates back in the 1990's predicted a paperless society, I should have bought stock in the paper industry. What he missed is that if you want to study something on your computer at your leisure, what you do is hit print. The digital electronic information age just gives us more access to things to print in hard copy. When I started work in the 1970s my office used to get a ream of paper for office supplies, by the 90s we got paper by the box, and by the time I retired it came by pallet.

[@drzarkov39]

I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, know for its many papermills, especially its toilet papermills. I worked for one for 42 years. It has been said that if it weren't for the popularity of the Green Bay Packers football team, Green Bay would be known as the town that wipes the world.

[@Vegaswill714]

The final two minutes of this video..the "one liners".. are perhaps the most entertaining thing ever in a history video. Thank you History Guy!! Please keep up the great work.

[@mattnicholson2364]

My earliest memories are of smelling the International Paper mill in Georgetown SC, and passing by the mill in Canton NC on my way to visit the grandparents. Your videos have always been good. You have stepped it up a notch recently. Very well done sir.

[@plasmaburndeath]

I think The History Guy Cuts right through this subject, and by god he hits all the right margins. You could even play bingo with some measurements of this subject, call it B4, B5, B6 or B7, quite unusual series for most people abound, and some binded; but still one must note this has many tolerances.

[@edschermerhorn5415]

Fascinating to think of the interconnection of the invention of economical paper, the printing press, and increased literacy as a huge contribution to advancement of society

[@misterflibble6601]

Loved the recitation of all the phrases, sayings and idioms inspired by paper! Well done THG

[@fbrentwood]

I still prefer paper and printed books over electronic. There's just something about the physical feel of it.

[@Hello_Fuckers0]

There's the scent of old paper, of the bookstore or library too. A screen is impersonal, sterilized and I don't like it lol

[@fbrentwood]

@@Hello_Fuckers0 absolutely!

[@51WCDodge]

You can't hide behind an e reader. Difficult to flick bettween pages, the battries go flat, if you fall asleep and drop them they breack. Printed books every time. And!!!! Have you ever seen a second hand E reader shop!

[@keithweiss7899]

Very good, as always! I am confused though as to why a cheap news paper is referred to as a “rag” but rags are a big part of the paper money is printed on because it makes the paper money tougher?

[@WillmobilePlus]

I have 8 e-Readers, and about 3,000 books. The e-readers are rarely touched. I also like to make homemade paper, which is very therapeutic!

[@51WCDodge]

Ever seen a second hand E Reader shop?

[@trj1442]

Another excellent episode. Thankyou THG.

[@eliscanfield3913]

I love my paper books; they don't need charging, the only bugs I need to worry about are literal ones, they feel nice in my hands, and if there's an accident, they're still readable. (and yes, I re-read all the time, enough that I've had to replace several)

[@wjcorrinne4052]

I’ve had the good fortune to take tours of some different type of manufactured products and the plants that produced them. For a week in spring of 1968as part of a math class we spent a week at the corporate offices and factory of Consolidated Paper in Wis. Rapids, Wis. besides using their computer IBM 1400 and IBM 360 I think were the type. They were huge compared to what we have today. We toured their R&D which was interesting but to watch paper being made from the logs fed into the process until it came out in enormous rolls of paper with diameters over 8 ft and a width over twice that. They ran 24/7, it was amazing. Glad I got to experience this.

[@cnoel190]

Born and raised in 'Paper City' I was fortunate/unfortunate to work various positions in a few of the mills. On one particular production of 100% cotton rag, I took the opportunity to spit in every thing from the hydro pulper to the beaters to the holding chest. Even lastly the defoamer before it hit the Fourdrinier. I'd follow the roll all the way to finishing where the opportunity arose to abscond with a ream. I would paint, sketch and draw on that paper for friends and family, with a high probability that my literal all went into those artworks. The very special one's would have the dandy roll watermarks in the corners!

[@otpyrcralphpierre1742]

I can remember the times before the computer, and everyone was saying that the future was a "paperless society". Boy, were THEY wrong!

[@lololomo5484]

Yeah. Our job is to figure out why.

[@DairyAir]

There is a high school near me called the “Kimberly PAPERMAKERS”… Wisconsin has a miner and a sailor on the state flag, the first 2 industries, but everyone knows dairy, but that’s the southern half. Central Wisconsin is potatoes, but northern Wisconsin, especially northeast, is all about paper, but declining. Northern Wisconsin is all “glacial till” (all rocky from glaciers) so it isn’t really farmable. It takes 30-40 years, but “sections” of land are clear cut. The wood is referred to as “pulp wood”, and is sent by rail to Green Bay and the Fox river valley, where the mills turn it into paper, and some is processed into paper products, but most gets loaded onto ships and can be shipped to anywhere in the world…

[@mrlucky5025]

THG, I enjoy your eclectic selection of historical vignettes. A suggestion for a future one: We all remember Adm. David G. Farragut and his famous utterance at the battle of Mobile Bay but we know little of his role in ending the vigilantism at San Francisco in 1856. "It is history that..." well, you all know what it is.

[@rickharold7884]

Paper rocks! Love the story.

[@shanesamuelson7418]

Thank you for wrapping that up!

[@GeertDelmulle]

Fantastic!! What a great dissertation on the subject of paper.

[@filanfyretracker]

if you travel, than E-Readers are vastly superior to dead tree edition. But if you mostly read at home, It can be hard to deny the feeling of holding the physical book. I mean I am happy my Lego Titanic, Saturn V, and Space Shuttle+Hubble all came with physical manuals rather than a card with a QR code.

[@The_ED_guy]

Worth every piece of paper you prepared the script on👌... just brilliant 👏

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

As a person who could read themselves cross-eyed this was an extremely interesting video. There’s no fun in reading from an e-reader or phone under the covers using a flashlight. Especially since you don’t really need a flashlight. Always disappointing when you just got to the good part and the batteries died or one of the parents caught you still up reading when you were supposed to be asleep for school the next day. Then you had to wait clear up to almost the next night to find out “whodunnit?” Although in my defense there are over 2100 books on my phone right now. Many were free. Saves a lot of money-and by extension, trees-when you can’t find anything interesting to read and you can go back and pick out an “oldie but goodie.” I have one book in particular that if it was in paperback it would be in tatters! Ahh…the good old days!

[@williamhughmurraycissp8405]

You kid yourself if you think that today's kids do not hide their mobiles under the covers at night. Of course, many of them are texting or watching KZbin instead of reading.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

@@williamhughmurraycissp8405 I guess it just depends on when you grew up.

[@murraystewartj]

Some of my fellow oldsters will remember road trips and realizing that that - stench - meant you were driving through a town or city with a paper mill. This was back in the day when emissions into the air and toxic effluent pumped into rivers were unregulated. The only smell I've encountered on the road that was worse that an old pulp mill was a rendering plant, and that wasn't by much.

[@wandatennant5580]

I love history! Thank you for making it so very interesting.

[@joanhoffman3702]

What a delightful episode! And what a list of paper related sayings.

[@seethingnuclearchaos]

Before it was finally closed, my dad worked at the Curtis paper mill. At the time, it was the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States and made dinner very nice specialty high rag content paper.

[@darrinwright6758]

This video reminds me of the years I spent working in a paper bag factory. Those were some fun times.