††In 1799, Louis Robert invented a machine to produce a continuous reel of paper. During the 19th century, wood pulp rather than cotton rags began to be used as the basic material for paper.
Today, paper and paper products use up 35 per cent of the world's annual wood harvest. Recycling of paper avoids some of the enormous waste of trees. In addition, most papermakers have their own plantations of quick-growing trees which they replace when used.
