Cai Lun

Cai Lun was a Chinese official and inventor during the Eastern Han Dynasty, around the 2nd century AD. He is best known for developing a revolutionary method of making paper from tree bark, hemp, rags, and fishnets. This innovation made paper more accessible and affordable than earlier writing materials, like bamboo or silk. Cai Lun's advancements in papermaking significantly contributed to the spread of literacy and culture in China and, eventually, the world. His work is recognized as a key milestone in the history of writing and communication.