Wallpaper has been used for interior decoration since ancient times. The earliest forms of paper were developed in China in the 2nd century BC and papermaking spread from there to the Middle East and Europe over subsequent centuries. By the 16th century, wallpaper with printed repetitive patterns was being produced in Europe. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, innovations such as machine printing allowed wallpaper manufacturing to scale up and designs to become more intricate, making wallpaper a widespread decorative feature in homes.

1. © City of Glasgow College
Charity Number SC0 36198

2. © City of Glasgow College
Charity Number SC0 36198
WALLPAPER
History of

3. 400 B.C.
• Earliest form of paper was introduced by the
Egyptians. (papyrus)

4. 200 B.C.
• The first wallpaper appeared in ancient China,
because they glued rice paper onto their walls

5. 105 A.D.
• The Chinese started making paper from textile waste,
i.e. from rags.
• This was the birth of paper as we know it today.

6. 8th Century
• Several Chinese prisoners, with papermaking skills,
worked under Arabs, and taught them how to
manufacture paper
• The Arabs then spread this knowledge throughout
the Middle East

7. 10th Century
• Arabians were substituting linen fibres for wood &
bamboo. Creating a finer sheet of paper
• Paper now reached a much higher quality level

8. 12th Century
• Papermaking spreads throughout Europe

9. 1418
• The earliest European block prints were religious
souvenirs, known as “Helgen”
• This type of printing may also
have been used by the
Chinese, as early
as the 5th Century

10. 1481
• King Louis XI of France has 50 rolls of paper painted
by an artist
• Other rich Europeans commissioned artists to paint
for their walls
• Real wallpaper can hardly be said to exist until the
advent of the printing press

11. 1509
• Earliest known fragment of wallpaper was found on
beams in the Lodge of Christ’s College, Cambridge
(dated 1509)
• It is an Italian design, printed on the back of a
proclamation by Henry VIII
• It is attributed to Hugo Goes, a printer from York

12. 1599
• A guild of paperhangers is established in France

13. 1675
• Jean-Michel Papillon, a French engraver & considered
to be the inventor of wallpaper, starts making block
designs in matching, continuous patterns.
• Wallpaper as we know
it is on its way

14. 1680
• Oldest example of Flock wallpaper comes from
Worcester & is created in approximately 1680

15. 18th Century
• English develop manufacturing methods
• Fashion conscious Londoners order expensive, hand
made papers
• Papers include, flock papers, marble & stucco effects
& borders

16. 1739
• Wallpaper becomes popular in America
• Plunket Fleeson begins printing wallpaper in
Philadelphia

17. 1778
• King Louis XVI issues a decree that requires the
length of wallpaper to be about 34 feet

18. 1781
• After American revolution, they set up workshops of
their own
• Wallpaper becomes fashionable
• Designs range from rambling roses to patriotic
images

19. 1785
• The French invent the first machine for printing
wallpaper
• Also invent a way to make an endless roll of
wallpaper

20. 1798
• Lithography is invented in Germany, by Alois
Senefelder
• This is a method using a plate or stone which has a
completely smooth surface

21. 1800
• French scenic papers
printed with hand
carved blocks, some
taking as many as 5,000
blocks to produce,
become popular

22. 1839
• English invent a four colour surface printing machine
• Designs are on hand cut cylinders that can print 400
rolls per day
• It was invented by Charles Potter from Darwen in
Lancashire