TIME:
Wood has been an essential building material since humans first began building shelters, houses and boats. Until the late 1800s almost all boats were made of wood.
The use of hemp dates back to the Stone Age. Pictograms of hemp fiber appeared on potshards in China that were over 10,000 years old. Hemp fiber was also used to make clothing, shoes, rope, and paper.
Corn, also known as maize, originated as early as 1500 BCE. The plant was domesticated 9,000 years ago in central Mexico.
Paper making was developed in China in the early 2nd century by Cai Lun. He is regarded as the inventor of modern paper making.
Wheat originated in Southwest Asia in a region known as the Fertile Crescent. 5,000 years ago wheat cultivation spread to Ethiopia, India, Great Britain, Ireland, and Spain.
The cultivation of cotton began in India where cotton has been growing for 6,000 years. The Harappan civilization exported cotton to Mesopotamia during the 3rd millennium BCE.
LOCATION:
Wood is present in some form everywhere in the world.
Hemp is cultivated nearly everywhere in the world with the exception of the United States. Hemp is imported from Russia, China, North Korea, hungary, the former Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, France, and Italy.
Corn is widely grown throughout the world, with the United States being the largest producer. China, Brazil, France, Indonesia, India, and South Africa also cultivate corn.
Paper making originated in China, however it quickly spread to the Middle East and Europe by the late 16th century.
Wheat originated in Asia, but its production has spread to India, the United States, Russia, France, Canada, Australia, Germany, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Cotton clothed the people of ancient India, Egypt, and China. Cotton textiles were woven in India with impeccable skill. The Moors were the first people to introduce cotton into Spain. Evidence of cotton cultivation and use has also been found in South and Central America as well as England.
COMPARISON (how each is consumed):
Wood is considered to be the most consumed material. During the mid '90s the average person consumed roughly 4 pounds of wood a day. This amount exceeded that of cement, steel, plastics, and aluminum.
The bast of hemp fibers can be used in products that are 100% hemp but it is often combined with other fabrics. The inner two fibers of the hemp plant are more woody and are used in non-woven products.
Corn has many different uses especially in food production. It is the main ingredient in tortillas, tamales, and many other Mexican dishes. It may also be used as a cereal grain.
Paper has many types and weights for different usages. The typical weight for printing paper is 20 pounds while card stock and other craft paper may range in weight from 68 to 110 pounds.
Wheat is yet another staple food. Wheat is the primary ingredient in flour which is used in baked goods, pasta, and couscous. It is also used in the fermentation of beer and other alcohol products.
Cotton is used to make a number of textile products including terrycloth, denim, chambray, which is used to make blue work shirts, corduroy, and cotton twill. Fabric can also be made from the recycled or recovered cotton. The cotton seed can be used to produce cottonseed oil. After refinement it may be consumed by humans like any other oil.
Sources: wikipedia.org, encyclopedia britannica online
