For a class field trip, we visited the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana. I was a very great experience and exceeded my expectations. We learned a lot about where and how paper making originated in the 18th to 19th century. The first photo in the review shows the original machine that hammered the material into a pulp to begin the paper making process. When paper was first made, it was made out of rags and old clothes, but now clothes are made of too many synthetic materials that it can no longer be turned into paper, hence why trees are used. Once the first machine hammered the cloth into a pulp, it was then mixed with water and put into a rotation tub (shown in photo 2), collected onto a tray, then laid onto felt to dry. To speed the drying process, stacks of the wet paper on felt are put into a press to press out majority of the water then hung to air dry. Once the paper air dried, it was smoothed and ironed so that it was nice and flat and smooth, and ready to sell or use. Later, machines were created to speed the process and minimize the number of workers needed to complete this process. Watermarks were invented here in Fabriano to authenticate the process and brand of the paper. Our tour guide, Francesca, was great! She was very passionate and very well informed on everything to do with paper. She did demonstrations and even asked for volunteers so my peers and I were able to interact in the process. She even showed us examples of paper made with wheat, artichoke, and more! Overall it was a great experience and I would highly recommend the visit.