When we step into a grand museum or a quiet archive, our gaze falls upon ancient texts bearing millennia of history, documents 

chronicling the passage of time, and paintings whose colors remain vivid. These precious artifacts and manuscripts seem frozen 

in time, silently narrating the past to us. Yet behind this tranquility and timelessness, an invisible battle for survival rages constantly. 

The most crucial weapon in this fight is the quietly operating constant temperature and humidity machine. The stable environment 

it provides goes far beyond mere “comfort”; it is the absolute lifeline sustaining these priceless treasures.

Fragile Carriers of Civilization: Why Is Paper So Delicate?

Cultural relics and archives, especially those made from organic materials like paper, silk, and leather, are essentially “living” entities. 

They continuously exchange matter and energy with their surroundings, with temperature and humidity acting as the “switches” 

that drive these chemical and physical reactions.

Temperature as an Accelerator: Following the general principle of chemical reaction rates, every 10°C increase in temperature roughly 

doubles the rate of paper aging. Excessive heat accelerates the breakdown of cellulose molecules within the paper, diminishing its 

strength and causing yellowing and brittleness. This effectively speeds up the countdown to an artifact's lifespan.

Humidity is a double-edged sword: Humidity is another more complex and dangerous factor. It not only participates in chemical 

reactions but also acts as a “guide” for biological disasters.

 The core mission of a constant temperature and humidity machine is to eliminate the three major threats caused by temperature 

and humidity fluctuations: paper aging, insect infestation, and mold growth.

1. Combating the Invisible Killer: Paper Deterioration

Fluctuating temperature and humidity, especially high heat and humidity, dramatically accelerate the acidification and hydrolysis 

of paper. With the aid of water molecules, acidic substances within the paper act like countless tiny scissors, continuously severing 

the long-chain molecules of plant fibers. This process robs the paper of its mechanical strength, ultimately causing it to disintegrate 

into powder. A constant temperature and humidity system stabilizes the environment within standard ranges (e.g., 16-20°C temperature, 

45-55% relative humidity), effectively hitting the “pause button” on aging for cultural artifacts. This maximally delays the irreversible 

chemical decay process.

2. Defending Against Biological Erosion: Insect Infestation and Mold

Pest Prevention: Many insects, such as bookworms and booklice, rely on specific temperature and humidity conditions for reproduction 

and activity. In warm, humid environments, they multiply rapidly, chewing precious ancient texts and archives to shreds. A constant, 

low-humidity environment effectively inhibits egg hatching and adult insect activity, preventing pest outbreaks at their source.

Mold Prevention: This is the most critical function of humidity control. Mold growth requires moisture. When relative humidity 

consistently exceeds 65%, airborne spores germinate on paper and mounting surfaces, forming mycelium. Mold not only contaminates 

artifacts with stubborn stains but also secretes organic acids that accelerate paper acidification. Its hyphae can directly penetrate 

paper fibers, causing permanent physical damage. Constant temperature and humidity units precisely control dehumidification, 

keeping humidity firmly below safe thresholds and permanently eliminating the breeding ground for mold spores.

The essence of this “lifeline” lies in “constancy.”

For artifact preservation, “constancy” is more crucial than “reaching a specific value.” Severe fluctuations in temperature 

and humidity can sometimes cause greater damage than prolonged exposure to a less-than-ideal but stable environment. 

Frequent expansion and contraction generate internal stresses, leading to physical damage such as paper curling, cracking, 

mounting detachment, and lacquered woodwork splitting. Advanced climate control systems, equipped with high-precision 

sensors and intelligent control mechanisms, deliver 24/7 uninterrupted environmental regulation with minimal fluctuations. 

This provides the most robust protective shield for delicate artifacts.

Conclusion

Thus, when we gaze once more upon the civilizational imprints spanning time and space within glass display cases, we should 

recognize that safeguarding them requires not only sturdy glass and stringent security, but also the silent yet indispensable 

constant temperature and humidity systems woven into the fabric of the building. This is no ordinary air conditioning 

equipment—it is the guardian deity bestowed upon cultural heritage by modern technology, the lifeline connecting history 

to the future. Investing in and maintaining this system represents the most solemn and enduring commitment we can make 

to our shared historical memory and the roots of our civilization.