Ancient Paper Was Made From Woven Spider Silk
Centuries before modern paper, some communities in eastern Asia experimented with thin sheets created by stretching and pressing spider silk threads together. These fragile sheets were surprisingly strong, flexible, and resistant to tearing, allowing delicate documents or artworks to survive for generations. Because the silk fibers naturally repel water and resist mold, a few such pages have been found intact after hundreds of years buried in dry caves.
💡 Fun detail:
A single spider can produce seven different kinds of silk, and scientists are now studying one type to create new, super-lightweight materials for spacecraft.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine