In ancient times, writing works and inscriptions were generally written on tablets of bamboo or on pieces of silk. But silk being costly and bamboo heavy, they were both not convenient to use. Then Cai Lun initiated the method of making paper with the bark of trees. Traditionally, he is regarded as the inventor of paper and the technique of papermaking. Although early forms of paper had already existed in China since the 2nd century BC, he fostered the first significant improvement and standardization of papermaking by adding essential new materials into paper's composition. Cai found the composition of paper and invented the technique of papermaking. Cai was reputed for this invention in the world, and even in his own lifetime he was already given recognition for it.
在古代，著作和銘文（inscription）通常寫在竹片或絲綢上。但絲綢昂貴，竹片太重，使用起來都不方便。后來蔡倫開創(chuàng)了用樹皮造紙的方法。傳統(tǒng)上人們認為他是紙張和造紙術的發(fā)明者。盡管公元前2世紀中國就已經(jīng)有了早期的紙，但蔡倫促成了紙張的首次重大改進，并通過添加至關重要的新材料使造紙過程標準化。蔡倫發(fā)現(xiàn)了造紙材料的組合方式，發(fā)明了造紙術。這項發(fā)明使蔡倫聞名于世，甚至使他在有生之年就已經(jīng)得到了認可。
