Heinrich Halbisen, the founder of the paper industry, was one of the most influential people in Basel of his time. He was co-owner of a trading company operating throughout Europe, master of the prestigious saffron guild and member of the Small Council. In 1433, at the time of the Council of Basel, he bought a mill in front of the Riehentor in Kleinbasel and had it converted into a paper mill. In 1448, he moved production to the St. Alban Valley, where the mills were protected by the city wall.
