Read the following passage carefully: (6 m) FROM PAPYRUS TO PAPER 1) It all began more than 5,000 years ago in Egypt. At that time, ancient Egyptians wrote on materials made from the papyrus reed, a plant grown in the delta of the Nile. This plant “paper” was made by laying strips of the stem tissue side by side. These were then stuck together with a crude kind of paste made from bread crumbs soaked in boiling water. (2) Though papyrus traveled all over, it did not travel to Eastern Europe. Europeans had started using animal skins as their writing paper. This material was called parchment, and although it was expensive, it had several advantages over the humble papyrus. First, the parchment could be folded over without it cracking, unlike papyrus, which had to be rolled up into a scroll, making it cumbersome for a reader to handle. Second, as both sides of the parchment could be used for writing, no space was wasted. (3) The material we use for writing today was invented over 1000 years earlier in China. A Chinese official named Tsai Loon made his paper in 105 A.D from a motley assortment of strange ingredients, including mulberry and bamboo fibers, fishnets, and rags. The Emperor Ho Ti was pleased with the invention. Tsai Loon was made an important man in his court. (4) With success going to his head, Loon got involved in dangerous business. Unable to face public exposure, he committed suicide. The Chinese jealously guarded the secret of paper making for more than 1,000 years. Unfortunately for the Chinese, the Moors learned it, and it was brought to Spain and Sicily. From there, it spread throughout Europe, and by the 13th century, paper mills had mushroomed in Italy and elsewhere. (5) Paper got a big boost when Johannes Gutenberg, a German craftsman, invented the first practical mechanical printing press in 1455. The next 50 years saw thousands of books being printed all over Europe, and the demand for paper grew. At present, the US is the world’s leading paper producer, dan. Ques: The first among Europeans to learn the art of paper making were? 1) East Europeans 2) The Germans 3) The Italians 4) The Spanish
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
4) The Spanish
Explanation
Introduction
The history of writing materials is a fascinating journey through time, from the use of natural substances to the invention of modern paper. In the passage “From Papyrus to Paper,” we are taken on a chronological journey of how writing surfaces evolved, beginning in ancient Egypt and ending in modern Europe. One of the key developments discussed in the passage is how the secret of paper making, which originated in China, was eventually introduced to Europe. Among the first Europeans to learn and adopt this technology were the Spanish.
Breaking Down the Passage
To understand why the correct answer is “The Spanish,” we need to examine the relevant portion of the passage closely.
Here is the excerpt:
“The Chinese jealously guarded the secret of paper making for more than 1,000 years. Unfortunately for the Chinese, the Moors learned it, and it was brought to Spain and Sicily. From there, it spread throughout Europe…”
This line clearly indicates that the knowledge of paper-making came to Europe via Spain and Sicily, after being discovered by the Moors. The Moors were Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula (which includes Spain and Portugal). When they conquered parts of Spain during the Middle Ages, they brought with them advanced knowledge from the Arab world, including the secret of paper-making.
Why Not the Other Options?
Let’s now examine why the other options are incorrect.
1) East Europeans
There is no mention in the passage of Eastern Europeans having learned paper-making first. In fact, the passage clearly states that paper reached Spain and Sicily first, and then spread throughout Europe. Eastern Europe was not the initial entry point.
2) The Germans
While the Germans did make a massive contribution to the paper industry, especially with Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1455, they were not the first to learn how to make paper. The passage mentions that Gutenberg’s invention came long after the knowledge of paper-making had already spread through Europe. Therefore, while Germans helped increase the demand and production of paper, they did not learn the art of making it first.
3) The Italians
Italy is mentioned in the passage:
“…by the 13th century, paper mills had mushroomed in Italy and elsewhere.”
This line tells us that by the 13th century, Italy had become a hub for paper production. However, the knowledge of paper-making had already entered Europe earlier via Spain and Sicily, showing that Italians were not the first, though they were among the early adopters.
Chronology and Spread of Paper
To fully understand the historical timeline, let’s outline the key events:
- Egypt (approx. 3000 BCE): Papyrus was used as an early form of writing material.
- Europe (Early period): Use of parchment (animal skin), which was durable but expensive.
- China (105 A.D.): Tsai Loon invented true paper using plant fibers and waste materials.
- China to the Moors: The Chinese kept the technique secret for over a millennium.
- Moors to Europe (around 11th century): Moors brought paper-making to Spain and Sicily.
- Spread through Europe: From Spain, the technique spread to Italy, Germany, and beyond.
- Germany (1455): Gutenberg invented the printing press, skyrocketing the demand for paper.
Role of the Moors and Spain
The Moors played a central role in introducing many scientific, cultural, and technological advancements to Europe during their rule in Spain. One of these advancements was the art of paper-making, which they had acquired from the Islamic world, which in turn had gotten it from the Chinese.
Spain, being under Moorish control during much of the Middle Ages, served as the entry point for paper-making into Christian Europe. From cities like Toledo and Valencia, paper mills began to appear, and manuscripts started to be written on paper rather than parchment.
Importance of Paper in Europe
After the knowledge reached Spain:
- Paper was cheaper than parchment, making books and written documents more accessible.
- Universities and scholars could now afford to make multiple copies of texts.
- It democratized knowledge, paving the way for the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution.
The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in Germany made use of paper’s affordability and availability to produce books in large numbers. This would not have been possible had the Spanish not first adopted and spread paper-making.
Conclusion
In summary, the secret of paper-making traveled a long route from China to Europe, carried across cultures, continents, and centuries. It was the Moors who acted as the bridge between the East and the West, and Spain was the first country in Europe where this knowledge took root. From there, it spread to Italy, Germany, and the rest of Europe, fueling a revolution in knowledge dissemination.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question “The first among Europeans to learn the art of paper making were?” is Option 4) The Spanish, as supported by the textual evidence and historical context provided in the passage.
