The country credited with inventing paper is China. Papermaking was developed during the Han Dynasty around 105 AD, attributed to a court official named Cai Lun. The process involved breaking down plant fibers, such as bamboo and hemp, mixing them with water, and then pressing and drying them into sheets. This innovation greatly enhanced record-keeping, communication, and literacy, paving the way for cultural and intellectual development. The technique of papermaking eventually spread to other parts of the world, influencing written history and the availability of printed materials.