The Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914) describes the rapid industrialization of the economy and huge developments in people’s daily life due to enormous technological innovation. Therefore, it is oftentimes also called the science based revolution. One of the many important innovations was the development of modern paper making. This innovation reduced the cost of producing paper tremendously, stopped enormous paper shortages from the beginning of the 19th century, and increased the durability, as well as stability of the paper. According to Kuznets & Murphy, modern economic growth depended on the growth of knowledge and human capital. Therefore, through fostering this growth, developments in paper have had a strong effect on the economic prosperity of a nation. This effect can for example be seen in the ancient Egyptian culture, which developed and used the papyrus as their paper and consequently managed to become one of the most advanced societies of that time.
The importance of paper can also be seen when we compare the developments in Europe and North America to Asia. Here the rise of books and newspapers did not occur at the same rate as in the Western World and led to a long time laggard economic development in those countries.
In order to gain more insights into the linkages between developments in paper making and economic prosperity, this paper addresses the following research question: How did the developments in paper making influence human capital and foster economic prosperity?
In order to answer this research question, this paper will first analyze the developments in paper making and link them to the rise of newspapers and books. Afterwards, it will link the rise of newspapers to developments in education and literacy. Finally, these developments will be connected to the concept of human capital and economic prosperity. Lastly, this paper will provide a conclusion of the main findings.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Main Part
- 2.2.1 Improvements in Paper Making and Increase of Newspapers & Books
- 2.2.2 Rise of Newspapers and Books and their Effect on Literacy and Education
- 2.2.3 Effects of Higher Education Levels and Literacy on Human Capital and Economic Development
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to investigate the influence of advancements in paper making on human capital and economic prosperity. It explores the relationship between improvements in paper production, the rise of newspapers and books, increased literacy and education levels, and ultimately, economic growth.
- Impact of improved paper-making techniques on the newspaper and book industries.
- The correlation between increased newspaper and book availability and literacy rates.
- The effect of education and literacy on human capital development.
- The link between human capital and economic prosperity.
- The role of technological innovation in driving economic growth.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by contextualizing the Second Industrial Revolution and its technological advancements, particularly in papermaking. It highlights the significant cost reduction and quality improvements in paper production and their potential impact on economic growth, drawing on the concept of human capital development. The chapter establishes the research question: How did the developments in paper making influence human capital and foster economic prosperity? The methodology, focusing on analyzing improvements in papermaking, linking them to the rise of newspapers and books, their influence on education and literacy, and finally connecting these factors to human capital and economic prosperity, is outlined.
2. Main Part: This section delves into a detailed analysis of the research question, structured around three subsections. It systematically connects improvements in papermaking to the rise of newspapers and books, the impact of these on literacy and education, and finally, the effect of enhanced education and literacy on human capital and economic growth. The chapter uses various historical examples and statistical data to support its arguments, demonstrating a clear causal link between the advancements in paper production and subsequent socio-economic developments.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Papermaking, Second Industrial Revolution, human capital, economic prosperity, literacy, education, newspapers, books, technological innovation, economic growth.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research paper investigating the influence of advancements in paper making on human capital and economic prosperity. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the research paper?
The paper explores the relationship between improvements in paper production, the rise of newspapers and books, increased literacy and education levels, and ultimately, economic growth. Key themes include the impact of improved paper-making techniques on the newspaper and book industries, the correlation between increased newspaper and book availability and literacy rates, the effect of education and literacy on human capital development, the link between human capital and economic prosperity, and the role of technological innovation in driving economic growth.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The paper consists of an introduction and a main part. The introduction contextualizes the Second Industrial Revolution and its advancements in papermaking, highlighting cost reduction and quality improvements. It establishes the research question: How did developments in paper making influence human capital and foster economic prosperity? The methodology is outlined. The main part analyzes the research question in three subsections, systematically connecting improvements in papermaking to the rise of newspapers and books, their impact on literacy and education, and finally, the effect on human capital and economic growth. This section uses historical examples and statistical data.
What is the research question addressed in the paper?
The central research question is: How did the developments in paper making influence human capital and foster economic prosperity?
What methodology is used in the research?
The methodology focuses on analyzing improvements in papermaking, linking them to the rise of newspapers and books, their influence on education and literacy, and finally connecting these factors to human capital and economic prosperity.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
The keywords are: Papermaking, Second Industrial Revolution, human capital, economic prosperity, literacy, education, newspapers, books, technological innovation, economic growth.
What is the scope of the research?
The research investigates the long-term socio-economic consequences of improvements in paper-making technology, focusing on its impact on literacy, education, human capital, and ultimately, economic growth.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction and a main part, which is further divided into subsections focusing on improvements in paper making, the rise of newspapers and books, their impact on literacy and education, and the effects of higher education levels and literacy on human capital and economic development.
- Quote paper
- Felix Pütz (Author), 2020, The Power of Paper. How the Developments in Paper Making Influenced Human Capital and Fostered Economic Prosperity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1119131