The first watermark happened by accident at the Fabriano paper mill in Italy, where paper has been made since AD 1260. The mould that was being used to press the water from the wet paper had a small piece of wire projecting from it. The paper was thinner where the wire dug into it, causing a line that could be seen by holding the paper up to the light.
It was realised that if a complete design was made of wire, a decorative watermark would be created. In 1282 the first deliberate watermark was made – it was just a simple cross.
Much the same method is used today. The wet paper is squeezed by a roller known as the dandy roll. Soldered or sewn onto the dandy roll is the raised pattern that creates the watermark.
Watermarks have been used for centuries to identify the makers of fine stationery. More elaborate watermarks are used to make forgery of banknotes difficult, by impressing the portraits of heads of state or national heroes on the notes.
Foolscap got its name at the beginning of the 18th century from a watermark of a fool’s cap used on paper that was 13 ½in (340mm) wide, and 17in (430mm) long.
Picture Credit : Google
