Preceden

History of Ink Timeline

(c. 2500 BCE–Present)

The history of ink traces the development of writing and printing fluids from ancient natural pigments to modern chemical, electronic, and digital applications. Less

Build a timeline like this one in minutes, for free. Start Yours →

Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Ancient and medieval ink

Ink used in Ancient Egypt

2600 BC - 2501 BC

Ink was used in Ancient Egypt for writing and drawing on papyrus from at least the 26th century BC.

Image source: Ink

Ink used in Ancient Egypt

Ink used for writing on papyrus

2600 BC - 2501 BC

Ancient Egyptian ink served as a writing medium on papyrus, one of the earliest documented uses identified in the supplied historical account.

Image source: Papyrus

Ink used for writing on papyrus

Ink used for drawing on papyrus

2600 BC - 2501 BC

In addition to writing, ink was used in Ancient Egypt to create drawings on papyrus.

The early ink recipe continued in use

2600 BC - 1199

The recipe associated with early ink use was used for centuries, demonstrating the long continuity of ink-making practices.

Scribes wrote on vellum

800 - 1500

Vellum was one of the principal writing surfaces used by medieval European scribes between about AD 800 and 1500.

Medieval European manuscript writing

800 - 1500

Medieval European manuscript production relied principally on writing with ink on parchment or vellum.

Image source: Illuminated manuscript

Medieval European manuscript writing

Scribes wrote on parchment

800 - 1500

During the medieval period, scribes in Europe wrote principally on parchment or vellum.

Image source: Parchment

Scribes wrote on parchment

Ink recipes and preservation

Iron gall ink regarded as the best type

1100 - 1899

Iron gall ink was widely thought to be the best type of ink during the long period in which it was commonly used.

Iron gall ink used for centuries

1100 - 1899

After becoming prominent in the early 12th century, iron gall ink continued to be used for centuries.

Iron gall ink became prominent

1100 - 1199

Iron gall inks became prominent in the early 12th century.

Hawthorn branches dried for ink

1100 - 1199

The same 12th-century recipe called for the cut hawthorn branches to be left to dry before further preparation.

Water used in early writing ink

1100 - 1199

Water was used in the Greek and Roman writing ink made from soot and glue.

Hawthorn branches cut for ink

1100 - 1199

A 12th-century ink recipe instructed makers to cut hawthorn branches in the spring.

Gum used in iron gall ink

1100 - 1199

Gum was included in the ink mixture composed of ferrous sulfate, gall, gum, and water.

Gall used in iron gall ink

1100 - 1199

Gall was one of the defining ingredients in the 12th-century ink variety that also contained ferrous sulfate, gum, and water.

Ferrous sulfate ink mixture

1100 - 1199

The other prevalent variety was composed of ferrous sulfate, gall, gum, and water.

Glue used as an ink ingredient

1100 - 1199

Glue formed part of the Greek and Roman writing-ink mixture, together with soot and water.

Soot used as an ink ingredient

1100 - 1199

Soot was an ingredient in the Greek and Roman writing ink described in the supplied account.

Greek and Roman writing ink

1100 - 1199

One of the two ink types prevalent in the relevant historical comparison was Greek and Roman writing ink, made from soot, glue, and water.

Printing and ink technology

Printing press created demand for new ink

1400 - 1499

The emergence of the printing press in Europe created the need for a new type of ink in the 15th century.

Image source: Printing press

Printing press created demand for new ink

Gutenberg developed printing-press ink

1400 - 1499

In the 15th century, a new type of ink had to be developed in Europe for the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg.

Image source: Johannes Gutenberg

Gutenberg developed printing-press ink

Modern and artistic uses

Klecksography used German inkblots

1800 - 1899

Kerner's art used inkblots, called German Tinten-Klecks, as the basis for images.

Justinus Kerner invented klecksography

1800 - 1899

In the 19th century, German poet Justinus Kerner invented klecksography, the art of making images from inkblots.

Kerner published Klecksographien

1857

In 1857, Justinus Kerner published Klecksographien, a book combining klecksographs and poetry.

Gobolinks published in the United States

1896

In 1896, a similar book titled Gobolinks, or Shadow-Pictures for Young and Old was published in the United States.

Election ink developed in India

1962

Election ink based on silver nitrate was developed at the National Physical Laboratory of India before its first reported electoral application.

Silver-nitrate election ink first applied

1962

Silver-nitrate-based election ink was first applied during the 1962 Indian general election.

Indonesia used election ink

2014

Indonesia used election ink in its 2014 election.

Ink damage and conservation

Iron gall ink damages paper

1940

Iron gall ink is corrosive and damages paper over time, a problem discussed in the cited 1940 source.

Ink fading linked to deposited amount

1972

The amount of ink deposited on paper is one factor affecting how quickly the writing fades.

Ink fading linked to paper composition

1972

Paper composition is another factor affecting the rate at which ink writing fades.

Ink fading linked to ingredient proportions

1972

The rate at which writing fades depends partly on the proportions of the ink's ingredients, according to the cited 1972 discussion.

Carbon ink preservation in dry conditions

1972

According to Barrow's 1972 guidance, the best method of preserving a document written in carbon ink is to store it in a dry environment.

Aqueous treatment changes ink texture

1999

Aqueous treatment can change the texture of ink, one of the consequences reported in the cited 1999 source.

Aqueous treatment forms ink-surface plaque

1999

Another possible consequence of aqueous treatment is the formation of plaque on the surface of the ink.

Decay documented in German State Library holdings

2000

A 2000 American Libraries report stated that the majority of the relevant works were held by the German State Library and that about 25 percent were in advanced stages of decay.

Cellulose hydrolysis causes corrosion

2004

Corrosion in iron gall ink damage is caused in part by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose, as described in the cited 2004 research.

Iron catalysis causes cellulose oxidation

2004

Iron(II)-catalyzed oxidation of cellulose is another chemical mechanism identified as causing corrosion.

Build a timeline like this one in minutes, for free. Start Yours →

Key Facts

  1. The earliest inks appeared in ancient Egypt and China, using materials such as soot, plant extracts, minerals, and animal-based binders.
  2. Chinese ink sticks, made from lampblack and glue, became central to calligraphy and painting and later influenced ink traditions across East Asia.
  3. Iron gall ink, made from tannins and iron salts, was widely used in Europe for manuscripts and official documents from late antiquity through the nineteenth century.
  4. The invention of movable-type printing in Europe accelerated the need for durable, oil-based inks suitable for pressing onto paper.
  5. Modern inks include specialized formulations for fountain pens, ballpoint pens, printers, textiles, security documents, and electronic displays.

Source

This History of Ink timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free