Paper, unlike most inventions, has developed in a variety of ways across the ancient world. Variations sprouted in China, Egypt, South-Asian countries such as India, Thailand, and Indonesia, and in Asia Minor  (or modern-day Turkey). These papers were made from a variety of materials, from leaves to animal skin, to processed plant fibres, but regardless, they all fill the same role in their respective regions.

One of the oldest types of paper is called Papyrus. However, even though it’s not considered a true paper due to how it’s made, it still shares similar properties such as ingredients and uses, according to the University of Adelaide. It, as the name suggests, was made from the papyrus plant common around the Nile in Egypt at the time. It was made by cutting thin strips of the plant’s stem, then wetting and weaving them together. Once dry, this formed a panel which could be written on. Recently, the Papyrus plant has become endangered according to Wind Flowers of Israel, which has inevitably led to Papyrus paper becoming rare in modern times.

Asia Minor, where Turkey is now, originally used Egyptian Papyrus as well; but after trade restrictions, they began to make their own. According to the University of Adelaide, they made their paper, called parchment, from stretched and thinned animal skin. The first known creator of the material was the King of Pergamum in 197–159 B.C.; however, it’s thought to have emerged over a thousand years earlier.

A third paper that also isn’t considered true paper by most is palm leaves. “Palm leaves were among the first writing materials to be used, and some sources say that Sanskrit [language of ancient Hinduism] was first written on this material more than 6,000 years ago [predating papyrus]”; said the University of Mississippi. This type of paper was strung together into a book-like manuscript, which often contained religious texts. They have been found throughout the south of Asia, from India to Indonesia.

The version accredited as the predecessor to modern paper can be traced back to ancient China during the Han dynasty’s rule. According to Brittanica, Ts’ai Lun, (who was an official of the Imperial court at the time) made pulp from plant fibres and pressed it into sheets for writing. Mulberry and waste material from the hemp plant were used to make the pulp, along with old rags and fishing nets which were unwound in the process. This paper was brought westwards into Europe where machinery was built to help with production. Over time, the paper-making process became more automated, and the introduction of the printing press accelerated this product’s evolution to the formats that we have today.  

Overall, paper has been an integral part of most civilizations; many different ingredients and processes have been used around the world. Regardless of whether they're made from hide or plants, each has the same purpose; to be written on with ink. With the introduction of the electronic printer, this tradition has continued into modern times.