Definition of the word tracing paper

The term "tracing paper" originated in the late 19th century as a result of the growing demand for materials used in drafting and architectural drawing. Before the invention of tracing paper, draughtsmen and architects used a technique called "pricking and tracing," in which they would puncture a design onto one sheet and then layer it on top of a new, clean drawing to trace the outline. This laborious process was understood to have several drawbacks, such as distortion of the outline and difficulty in fixing the position of the traced lines. In response, a new material was developed that made the process easier and more accurate. This material, called tracing parchment, was made of stallion parchment treated with sizing and acid to be semi-transparent. However, tracing parchment was expensive and difficult to produce, limiting its accessibility to smaller firms and schools. To make the material more affordable and widely available, early manufacturers began using tissue paper made from wood pulp that was treated with sizing and chalk. The result was a cheaper, faster-producing tracing paper that we still use today, which is more commonly referred to as tracing vellum. Despite being significantly different from the original "tracing parchment," the term "tracing paper" has persisted in popular usage, most likely due to its recognizability and association with the material's original purpose. In summary, the term "tracing paper" is a result of the historical development of drawing materials, reflecting the evolution of technology and the changing needs of drafters and architects as the field grew and expanded.