What's the first thing that comes to mind when the question is
posed: "What's paper made from?" Just about everyone responds,
"Trees," or "Wood." People assume automatically that paper is
made from wood, that paper and wood But in fact, paper has been
made from wood only since the mid-1800s; up until the 1850s,
paper was made from recycled linen and cotton rags. When the
paper indusry was established in the United States, it was a
recycling industry. Rags were so valued for papermaking that one
mill in Massachusetts used as its paper's watermark the words,
"Save Rags." Throughout the centuries, the practice of
papermaking has evolved again and again in response to economic
growth, historical influences, available raw materials, and the
social issues of the day. As social needs have changed over the
years, the composition of paper has also changed and has in turn
fueled powerful social changes and development. In fact, some
argue that the social, technical and economic progress of
nations is inextricably linke