---
title: Papermaking Machine
author: Chris55
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17305/papermaking-machine/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2023-04-20
---
# Papermaking Machine
_Authored by Chris55_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17305.png)
## Image Caption
As with many inventions during the [Industrial Revolution](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Industrial_Revolution/), the papermaking machine was something of a collaborative affair. This model is of one of the early machines developed by the Frenchman Nicholas Louis Robert (1761-1828) in 1799. The machine was further developed by John Gamble in [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/), who then collaborated with Henry (1766-1854) and Sealy Fourdrinier (1773-1847). This trio commissioned the engineer John Hall to build an improved papermaking machine, who, in turn, enlisted the help of his brother-in-[law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/), Bryan Donkin (1768-1855).
By 1803, the end result of the collaboration was a machine that greatly speeded up paper production, a task previously done by hand, and, by saving on labour costs, it reduced the costs of books to make them more affordable to more people. The machine took a diluted pulp of linen pieces and water and spread them upon a mesh barrel. Water drained off and then the mash was placed between two layers of felt and pressed firmly between two rollers.
Frogmore Paper Mill, Apsley, Hertfordshire, UK.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Chris55. (2023, April 19). Papermaking Machine. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Chris55. "Papermaking Machine." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 19, 2023. .
### MLA
Chris55. "Papermaking Machine." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Apr 2023, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fourdrinier_machine_model.jpg) by [**Chris55**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fourdrinier_machine_model.jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 19 April 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.