April 9, 2012

The Rich Historical Background of Mirrors

A mirror is often a centrepiece of interior decorating, containing both functional and aesthetic benefits. The strategic place of mirrors can add depth and fill a room with light. A attractive mirror adds a beloved and old element to any room, bringing a touch of personality to an otherwise plain room. The story of mirrors has a rich history up to this point in time.

A mirror holds a long and often mythical history straight through the ages. We can safely assume that the first form of mirrors were pools of clear, still water. Discoveries show that the first manufactured mirrors were found in Turkey, dating back to about 6000 Bc. These mirrors were typically constructed of polished black volcanic glass obsidian stone. Colse to 3500 Bc by chance, the craft of combining calciferous sand and soda in an overheated kiln produced a glaze, a primitive version of glass. This art form spread by merchants across the Mediterranean. The Egyptians, Romans and Greeks were avid fans of mirrors, developing them from sheets of very polished metals such as bronze. The Romans were the first to use glass in architecture. Clear glass was beginning to be used in key structure in Rome. The spread of the Roman Empire and growing trade routes allowed glass and glass output methods to spread throughout Europe and as far as China. Colse to 3000 Ad the first glass mirrors were advanced but polished mirrors were still more favorite due the poor capability of glass at the time.

It took until the 12th century for glass mirrors to become more favorite in Europe. In Venice, they took glass output to a new level which allowed them to back a flat piece of glass with a sheet of reflecting metal, increasing the broad reflecting capability of the mirror considerably. The time need to organize such a mirror was considerable, over a month in fact, which meant that only the rich could afford them. The output process was quite perilous too, with toxic mercury fumes a constant menace to the condition of workers.




The mirror development process took a significant leap in the 19th century when it was found that a glass mirror could be coated with a thin layer of metallic silver. The process was adapted for the mass market, increasing the availability of affordable mirrors.

Modern flat glass technology was introduced in the early 20th century with the introduction of an automated bottle blowing machine, invented by American engineer Michael Owens.

The Rich Historical Background of Mirrors

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