3 ms·

> At that point economics kick in. (And chemicals ...)

• bsder 2y ago
  You have to prove that wood pulp works well enough before anybody will invest in the chemistry research. Proving that wood pulp works effectively for paper requires the steam engine. Technological advance almost always consists of many incremental steps that have to come together simultaneously. Generally, the limitation was economic--if there was enough money at stake humans are clever enough that they will find a way.