Of course paper was itself an astounding revolution, so much more portable and easier to write and draw upon. As human history goes, paper is a relatively modern invention. Although also a highly perishable medium, paper has served civilization very well indeed, and that especially includes genealogists. I presume we've all heard the hype about the paperless office, a silly prophecy that computers would eliminate the need for paper. Hold that thought a minute.
Paper turns brittle.
Millions of computer-happy genealogists, including me, are scanning family photographs into their computers. All the camera companies are coming out with digital cameras that use no film. We all do. Listen to this warning from the National Media Lab. Modern information storage devices are subject to aging, just as paper, clay tablets and rocks are.