Papermaking, developed by Ts'ai Lun on A.D 105 in China, was a great progress that enabled human to communicate in better ways. This knowledge gradually spread out to East Asia, but it took longer time to reach Middle East and Europe.

A.D 751, Tang Dynasty clashed with Arab power. Both sides were struggling to take control of Silk Road. The 5-day-battle of Tarus was the turning point of the war between two powers. Tang Dynasty's army was defeated by Arab army, and lost control of the Silk Road. Since this war, Chinese power never recovered the power they once had over the Silk Road.

During this battle, Arab army captured prisoners who had knowledge of papermaking. These prisoners taught Arabs papermaking, and soon papermaking facility was established in Arab city Samarkand.

The knowledge of papermaking was diffused to Europe through Baghdad, and became the foundation of Renaissance.

Related links

http://www.paperonline.org/history/610/610_frame.html

http://www.hqpapermaker.com/paper.htm

http://www.mead.com/ml/docs/facts/history.html