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The Evolution of Ink: What Millennium Wisdom Hidden Behind Chinese Ink Sticks?
Ink, a writing and painting medium that has been passed down for thousands of years, has gone through a long process of evolution and carries the record and expression of human civilization. In different periods and regions, people independently developed a variety of ink formulas and production techniques based on their own needs.
Early inks were mostly made from lampblack, an easily collected black toner often produced as a byproduct of fire.
The history of ink can be traced back to Egypt in the 26th century BC. At that time, the Egyptians had begun to use red and black inks, which mainly relied on iron oxide and khaki pigments. These inks create monumental words and patterns on cut papyrus. China's ink production has a long history, with records dating back to the Neolithic Age 4,000 years ago. Early Chinese inks were usually made from plants, animals, and minerals, with different materials mixed with water to supplement the viscosity of the ink.
Traditional Chinese ink sticks are made from isinglass, while Japan uses glue from cows or deer.
Chinese ink sticks are still the first choice for calligraphy and Chinese painting. The process of making these ink sticks has not changed since ancient times. Ink plays an indispensable role in the daily use of artists and scholars.
The various components of the ink, such as pigments, binders, etc., give different effects to the characteristics of the ink. Color stability, flow and dry appearance are all affected by them. In comparison, granular pigment inks are widely used due to their stronger color fastness, but their ingredients are more expensive and their color range is narrower.
With the demand for multi-speed printing, solvent-based inks have gained a niche in fast-drying applications.
There are many types of ink, which can be mainly divided into four categories: water-based, liquid, paste and powder. Among these raw materials, water-based inks and oil-based inks for commercial and household use play an important role in different environments, especially indirectly affecting the development of contemporary printing technology.
However, the health and environmental impacts of ink cannot be ignored. The heavy metals and volatile organic compounds hidden in the ink are destructive to the environment and human health. Many manufacturers are beginning to explore the use of vegetable oils instead of traditional petroleum-based oils, as the supply of inks in India is also becoming increasingly important, demonstrating the URL of sustainable development.
In fact, with the advancement of technology, the production process of ink is also constantly evolving, and even conductive carbon nanotube ink is gradually derived.
The development of printing technology has also changed the use of ink. The classical manual writing method has gradually been replaced by modern technology-led printing. This process shows how technology affects the way we write and communicate. However, with the advent of the digital age, the use of traditional ink has been re-evaluated and valued in some fields.
The protection of ancient books and documents is another significant test. Iron gel ink became widely used in the 12th century and has long been regarded as one of the best inks. However, the corrosive nature of this type of ink has caused irreversible damage to many precious documents. This is a problem that has always troubled us cultural conservation experts.
Even so, the advancement of modern document protection technology has given us new hope. Through different water-free or water-based treatment methods, it is expected to slow down the decline of damaged documents.
The evolution of ink is the epitome of human wisdom. It is not only a writing tool, but also an important carrier of cultural inheritance. For such a medium that has been developing for thousands of years and is still changing, how should we understand its significance in the present and future?
