Silk Paper Quote by David Kahn
““For written messages, the Chinese would often write on exceedingly thin silk or paper, which they rolled into a ball and covered with wax. The messenger hid the wax ball, or “la wan,” somewhere about his person, or in his rectum, or he sometimes swallowed it.””
About This Quote
Source Historical account: Unknown source
Ancient Chinese messengers used wax‑wrapped silk balls, sometimes concealed in body cavities, for secret communication.
In simple terms: Secret messages hidden in wax balls.
Key Takeaway
Recognize creative covert methods.
Themes
history
espionage
innovation
Mood
intrigued
serious
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- museum exhibit
- spy thriller
- academic lecture
- historical reenactment
Key Concepts
cryptography
cultural practices
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivated such extremes?
- How would you secure a message?
A Different Perspective
Such methods are risky and uncomfortable.
![“The technique was at least moderately well known, for Ibn Khaldūn wrote in The Muqaddimah: “Occasionally, skillful secretaries, though not the first to invent a code [and with no previous knowledge of it], nonetheless find rules [for solving it] through combinations which they evolve for the…” quote by David Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d1/david-kahn-13896_programming_the-technique-was-at-least-moderately-we_657231.jpg)
