Watt and Burgess

The ancient Chinese produced paper from rags and this source was used in America s first paper mill in 1690. However, Keller developed a mechanical process for making pulp from wood in 1841. This invention was followed by the Watt and Burgess soda process in 1853, Tilghams s sulfite process in 1874, and Dahl s sulfate or kraft process in 1879. Cotton, linen, and rags are still used for paper making, but the principal raw material is cellulose obtained from wood. 

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