PRESENTATION OUTLINE
History
Papermaking is not an American invention. China began making paper over 2,000 years ago with wood. In colonial America, William Rittenhouse was a German immigrant who brought paper making to the new world in 1690. Coming from a family of papermakers, Rittenhouse settled near Philadelphia, built a log mill, and began making paper.
Tools & Materials
Cotton rags or linens
ASPS - these were the horns that the paper mold was leaned on to drain water from wet paper
Felts - the woolen cloth onto which the sheets of wet paper were turned
Mold - the wooden frame used to form the pieces of paper
Stamping Mill - a machine used to beat rags into pulp
How Paper Was Made
Apprentices collected cotton and linen rags, rolled them in a ball and piled them up. They were beaten by a hammer into a pulp. Then the rags were washed and stored in a chest. Then it was dumped into water and stirred constantly. A wooden frame covered with wire that looked like a screen was dipped into the mixture. Then a thin layer was lifted and dried. That was paper. Paper was either cream, light brown, or gray depending on the rags it was made from. Paper in colonial times was not white and it was not made from wood.
Importance of the Trade
Other trades could not exist without the Papermaker. Paper allowed for receipts, documents and government laws. Without paper, there would been no permanent record or anything.
Daily Schedule
Tradesmen usually woke up at 5 a.m. They ate a breakfast of porridge (oats). Paper makers had to work long hours. Not many people did the job because it was so hard. This also meant that paper makers were paid well compared to other tradesmen. Lunch was early dinner, usually some kind of meat, vegetables and bread. Sleep was early, soon after the sun went down. No dancing for paper makers.
Extra Information
THE Declaration of Independence would not exist without paper.
Colonists needed paper for writing out receipts, keeping records, newspaper, books, writing letters, and so much more. Pennsylvania became home to many paper mills in the early 1700s.
