Whispers of Paper reveals the surprising story of how paper revolutionized civilization, impacting knowledge sharing and shaping societies in profound ways. Exploring the history of paper, from ancient scrolls to the digital age, the book highlights paper's role as more than just a medium; it's an active force in culture, education, and politics.
The book uncovers intriguing facts, such as how paper facilitated the spread of knowledge beyond elite circles, spurring innovation and challenging established power structures. The book approaches its subject by examining three pivotal epochs: the era of handmade manuscripts, the advent of the printing press, and the current digital revolution.
It offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary look at paper's journey, setting it apart from other histories of technology or media by focusing on paper's entire trajectory. Progressing across chapters, the book first introduces paper's pre-industrial history, then explores the printing press's transformative impact, and finally analyzes the tensions between paper-based and electronic media in the digital age.
