The invention of paper is credited to Cai Lun, a Chinese court official, around 105 AD. He created it by mixing mulberry bark, hemp, rags, and water, then pressing and drying the mixture into sheets. This innovation provided a more efficient and accessible medium for writing compared to previous materials like bamboo strips and silk. Paper quickly spread throughout China and eventually reached Japan and Korea. By the 8th century, it made its way to Europe through trade routes. The invention of paper revolutionized communication, record-keeping, and education, laying the foundation for the development of books and printed materials.