Cai Lun

Paper is said to have been invented by Cai Lun. He was a Chinese government officer credited with creating the papermaking process. His creation is one of the best because the world cannot function without papers. Cai Lun was a eunuch who joined the imperial palace staff in 75 CE and ascended through the ranks to become chief eunuch in 89 under Emperor Hedi of the Dong (Eastern) Han dynasty.

Around the year 105, Cai came up with the idea of creating sheets of paper out of macerated tree bark, hemp waste, old rags, and fishnets. The resulting paper had higher writing quality to pure silk cloth (which was the primary writing surface at the time), was significantly less expensive to produce, and had more readily available sources. Cai reported his findings to the Emperor, who complimented him. Cai was appointed a marquess in the year 114.

• Born: c. 50–62 CEGuiyang Commandery, Han Empire(modern-day Leiyang, Hunan province, China)
• Died: 121 CE (aged 59–71)Luoyang , Han Empire(modern-day Luoyang, Henan province, China)