EOTO, Information Learned from a Classmate

 Sometimes, a simple classroom presentation can completely change the way you think about everyday things. This week, I learned about two incredible inventions that seemed so different—paper and Bluetooth—but both have reshaped how we connect, learn, and live. Thanks to a couple of interesting presentations from classmates, I got a deeper look into how these inventions evolved and why they matter today.

It all started with a presentation about the invention of paper, which honestly felt like something I knew very little about beyond "paper’s been around forever." Turns out, it was invented in 105 AD by Cai Lun in ancient China, using materials like hemp fibers, old fishing nets, and reeds. He was actually trying to find a more affordable and accessible alternative to silk, which is what people were using for writing before. Paper became this revolutionary way to share knowledge—think government documents, sacred texts, and everyday letters. It was how people shared what they knew with future generations.

Later on, in 1440, Gutenberg’s printing press took things up a notch. I hadn’t realized that his use of metal instead of wood for the press made it so much more efficient. Suddenly, you could mass-produce books and spread information faster than ever. And by the 1800s, paper production was automated, with the first paper mill in North America established in 1690 and then the invention of the paper-making machine in England in 1840.

It was cool to think about how paper started as this sacred thing, a keeper of important ideas and knowledge, and now it’s also found in disposable goods like napkins and tissues. This shift was another eye-opener, especially when my classmate brought up the environmental impacts. With so much paper ending up as waste, recycling has become more important than ever. It made me think about the everyday things I throw away and how each item has a history and an environmental footprint.

Bluetooth has become part of our lives in so many ways. With wireless headphones, we get great audio quality without any annoying cables. My classmate mentioned how Bluetooth even helps with accessibility, like through hearing aids or Apple Watches, where it allows for hands-free calling, navigation, and music streaming. It’s also in smart home devices that let you control lights or lock doors remotely.

It’s crazy to think that something as ancient as Nordic symbols and as new as Bluetooth technology are linked. Just like paper evolved from preserving sacred knowledge to being used in packaging, Bluetooth went from a simple wireless connection to something that manages our lives—from music to safety alerts to home automation.

These presentations made me realize how much our inventions evolve and adapt to meet new needs. Paper, once a sacred carrier of information, now shows up everywhere in our daily lives, sometimes as disposable waste. And Bluetooth, originally created for short-range wireless communication, has developed into a tool that brings convenience and connectivity to almost every device we own.