I've got a copy of the 1984 issue of PaperAge - our 100-year anniversary issue - sitting here in front of me. The late Ken Johnson, editor & publisher at that time, in his version of Editor's Note opens up with, "Paper mills in the United States are running "full" this very moment - close to 98% of capacity...the industry is expanding, with several grades in short supply, particularly LWC grades."

Wouldn't that be nice right now? ...demand for coated grades strong enough to be pressuring supply?

That centennial issue 25 years ago was a good example of why LWC was in strong demand. The issue boasted 88 separate advertisers and was 160 pages thick - and that was when PaperAge was a tabloid-sized (10.25" x 14.50") publication. It was one big, heavy book.

I know from time to time we've mentioned how PaperAge came to be, but it's worth telling again, albeit briefly.

In June 1884, Charles C. Walden published the first issue of United States Paper Maker out of New York City. The cover of the 16-page issue featured a big picture of Kenwood Felts and Jackets - F.G. Huyck & Sons' factory in Albany, New York. The publication's motto: “Devoted to the Interest of the Paper & Pulp Industry.”

The magazine stayed in the Walden family until 1971. At that time, Walden-Mott Corp. sold the title to Ken Johnson, and a few years later my dad, Jack, joined Ken in the publishing duties. I'm not sure when the publication's name changed from United States Paper Maker to PaperAge, but it took place at some point under the Walden's ownership.

In keeping with our historical theme, I'll share a reporter's account of the startup of Great Northern Paper Company's mill in Millinocket, Maine in 1900. It's worth reliving.

L.D. Post, of the Paper Mill and Wood Pulp News, attended the startup and wrote:

“It was my pleasure to be present when Garret Schenck enjoyed the greatest thrill of his entire career and that was on the night of November 1, 1900, when he started up the great Millinocket mill by opening the gate that turned the water on to the turbines and by pulling the switch that started the wood room machinery in operation.

“That night I saw him bark the first log of wood to be used in the mill and feed it to the grinder. I also saw him pull the switch that started up the eight, 152-inch Rice, Barton & Fales Fourdrinier machines. This was the realization of his greatest dream, for he had conceived and carried through to completion the greatest paper mill that had ever been built in the history of the world.

“In fact, the mill, when it was started up that night, had even gone beyond his first expectations, for its daily capacity was 240 tons of groundwood pulp, 120 tons of sulphite pulp, and 240 tons of newsprint.”

Respect, admiration and awe of the accomplishment flowed from Mr. Post's words. He was witnessing the making of the very product that allowed him to record the event for history ...and here I am over 100 years later using paper to pass along his words to you.

The industry has a pretty good product on its hands. Let's keep it going.

Have a good, safe, happy holiday season.

John O'Brien can be reached at: jobrien@paperage.com

PaperAge. Copyright © O'Brien Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.