Timeline for What's a good fire-resistant material to write on?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
24 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2021 at 9:36 | comment | added | PcMan | @bta Lots of (handmade) copies also leads to content mutation and editing and transcription errors and dispute about just which version is the "authoritative version" | |
| May 27, 2021 at 0:00 | answer | added | bta | timeline score: 3 | |
| May 26, 2021 at 23:23 | comment | added | bta | @Thorne Or as they say in the library world, LOCKSS (Lots Of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) | |
| May 26, 2021 at 2:04 | answer | added | Thorne | timeline score: 7 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 20:11 | answer | added | WernerCD | timeline score: 10 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 19:51 | comment | added | Brian | I'll note that in saying that advanced solutions are on the table, OP is also leaving the door open for modern fire-resistant paper. There are numerous types of existing fire-resistant paper. Not posting any examples as an answer because posting the results of a google search for fire-proof paper is a pretty boring way to world-build. Still, the option is there. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 19:51 | comment | added | Sophie Swett | "Any religion that forbids copying it's religious texts is doomed to die out." – Well, the question doesn't state that these texts are scriptures. They might be holy artifacts that have a lot of religious significance (like the Shroud of Turin) but are distinct from the religion's sacred texts that are copied and made widely available. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 15:13 | answer | added | Radovan Garabík | timeline score: 4 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 14:44 | answer | added | Willk | timeline score: 4 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 14:30 | comment | added | GrumpyYoungMan | @PcMan The querent said in the last sentence "It is not necessary for the material to be accessible during the middle-ages, chemistry, complex metalworking and other advanced solutions are all on the table." | |
| May 25, 2021 at 12:32 | comment | added | user_1818839 | Clay uses fire as the Write Protect function... | |
| May 25, 2021 at 12:00 | comment | added | ilkkachu | There's a bit of a conflict between the books being kept in libraries and such and the worry of campfires or torches. In a library, it would be possible to have the surroundings provide the fireproofing, as long as the librarians make sure no-one stacks other flammable material in the wrong places. You did also mention magical DRM, and it's not a huge step to say the magic also provides the fireproofing (and protection from mold and from fading in sunlight etc.). The books can still be done away with on purpose, by dumping them to the sea if nothing else. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 10:52 | vote | accept | Dastardly | ||
| May 25, 2021 at 8:38 | comment | added | PcMan | @GrumpyYoungMan Stainless steel availability and "generic medieval fantasy" are a bit incompatible. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 8:10 | history | became hot network question | |||
| May 25, 2021 at 5:04 | comment | added | GrumpyYoungMan | Another option to consider could be a thick stainless steel foil, e.g. allfoils.com/products/stainless-steel. It will survive a fire easily, is corrosion resistant, and is not subject to aging. Weight is, of course, an issue; thinner sheets will lower weight but be more prone to crumpling when handled so a trade-off needs to be made. Then again, crumpling is something that paper is subject to as well and wasn't part of the question's criteria. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 3:56 | answer | added | Escaped dental patient. | timeline score: 11 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 3:20 | comment | added | Thorne | Any religion that forbids copying it's religious texts is doomed to die out. Said texts could be lost at sea, buried in a landslide or earthquake or just plain stolen. The only sure way to keep it safe is multiple backup copies in other locations. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 3:05 | answer | added | DWKraus | timeline score: 49 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 2:34 | answer | added | John | timeline score: 16 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 2:12 | comment | added | GrumpyYoungMan | Asbestos fabric might fit the bill and asbestos was known before the medieval period: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos#Early_references_and_uses This may not meet your thin & lightweight criteria, though. Also, it's unclear what inks could mark it that would also survive a fire. In the modern era, asbestos paper existed but as an insulating and fireproofing material rather than as a writing medium. | |
| May 25, 2021 at 1:29 | answer | added | yolo man | timeline score: 10 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 1:26 | answer | added | Atog | timeline score: 7 | |
| May 25, 2021 at 0:08 | history | asked | Dastardly | CC BY-SA 4.0 |