Materials: Paper, water, flour, plastic wrap, bowl, salt, scissors

Industry sector: interieur design

Controlled: analogue

History: Origin of Paper Mache Despite the french sounding name, it did not originated in France till mid 17th century. However France was the first country to do so. Papier-mâché/ Papier Mache originates from China, the inventors of Paper itself. Papier Mache was used to make helmets of all things dating back to Hans Dynasty (BC 202 – AD 220). From China interest was spread to Japan & Persia. Papier Mache was used in making Mask, ornaments and other festival activities. Eventually from there it spread to rest of the world.

In the late 1700s, a man called Henry Clay found a new way to make papier mâché by pasting 10 sheets of rag paper on both sides with a mixture of cooked glue and flour, and then squeezing them together in a metal press. After pressing, the sheets were drenched in linseed oil, which made them waterproof, and then dried at 1000°f (just over 500°c).

During the early 18th century, a revolution in architectural ornamentation eliminated the necessity of carving plaster or wood in situ through development of an inexpensive material that could be made in a mold and applied when convenient. While the initial composition consisted of inorganic and resinous solids mixed with binder and referred to as "compo", a later version, called fibrous slab, combined plaster with vegetable matter such as hay, straw, nettles and bark. Eventually the plaster was replaced completely by fibers and other organic material including leaves of pineapple, aloe, and cacao plants; peat and bog asphodel; horse dung; and fibers of hemp, flax, and cane. Such material was recommended, and apparently used, for houses, bridges, and railroad wheels, among other things.