The Arabs have introduced an important contribution in the
history of communication, usually ignored, and that was the development
of paper in the eighth century A.D. on the hands of the Abbasid's dynasty
which ruled Baghdad. By applying the histo
rical communication theory,
one can see paper’s great impact, not only on Arabs and Moslems, but
Europe and the rest of the World in general.
This study deals with writing paper since the early beginning until present
time; the first symbolic writing attempts depicted on cave walls, stones, clay
tablets, papyrus, bones, animal skin, wood, textiles (like silk) up to the
modern paper indu
stry that was first invented in China, and then spreading
all over Europe by the Arabs after unfolding its manufacturing secrets.
The research also explores the development of paper industry throughout
history and the various materials, especially wood, used in processing it, and
covers the names the various types, employments of paper, and finally the
importance of building paper factories to meet the various social and
economic demands.
