How did the ancient potters discover the ingredient that made perfect china?
In 1708, a white clay substance called kaolin was discovered in Germany by Johann Bottger. This new ingredient, essential to the manufacture of porcelain, enabled Augustus the Strong to establish the Meissen porcelain factory. During the first half of the 18th century, Meissen produced the finest hard-paste porcelain wares and figures, using its secret kaolin formula. Other European manufacturers were unsuccessful in their strenuous efforts to duplicate Meissen’s quality.
