Origin of Tinted Paper.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 May 1914, Page 2

Origin of Tinted Paper.

Tinted paper, like a great many | other inventions, owes its origin to accident. The first tint ever made was blue, and was the result of an accident which at first created great consternation.

An English papermaker, named William East, set his men at work,

and, as usual, went away on busines*s. While the men were at dinner, Mrs. Bast accidentally let a blue-nag fall into one of the vats of pulp. Alarmed at the occurrence,

she determined to say nothing about it. Oreat was the astonishment of the workmen when they saw the peculiar colour of the paper, and great the anger of .Mr. East when he returned and found that a whole vat of pulp had been spoiled.

After giving the paper made from it warehouse room for four years, Mr. East sent it up to his agent in London to be sold "for what it would fetch." The agent misunderstood the meaning ; but thought it was a novelty, though doubting if it would bring much. But he sold the whole at a considerable advance upon the market price, and wrote to the mills for as much more as he could get.

The surprise of Mr. East may be imagined. He hastened to tell his wife, who found courage to confess her share in the fortunate accident, and to claim a reward, which she received in .the shape of a new cloak. Mr. East kept his secret, and for a short time supplied the market with the novel tint ; the demand far exceeded the supply, and other makers, discovering the means used, began to compete with him.