About Mirrors
From vanity to superstition, mirrors have had an impact on society and culture. Throughout the ages, this simple invention has gone from being a luxury worth it's weight in gold to a commonplace tool found in nearly every household. The methods for creating mirrors have changed over the years and mirrors have found their way into many different aspects of life, from science to art. Does this Spark an idea?
-
History
-
The first known mirrors are believed to have originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean areas around 6,000 BC. More recent mirror discoveries have been noted in Asia and Central and South America. The material for these earliest of mirrors was obsidian. This volcanic glass is highly reflective and can be polished to create a glossy surface.
Types
-
Sometime after obsidian mirrors, metal mirrors made an appearance. Polished copper and bronze discs were popular mediums for handheld mirrors. Many of these early mirrors had elaborate decorations around the edges and on the reverse side. It wasn't until the 1st century that glass mirrors made an appearance. Early glass mirrors were not the same quality as modern mirrors. The reflections were often distorted due to crude techniques. Common backing materials for early glass mirrors were lead or gold.
-
Time Frame
-
By the early Middle Ages, glass mirrors were gaining popularity with European Royalty and high society. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Venice, already famous for its glass making, began producing very expensive tin and mercury backed mirrors. The Venetian mirror making technique was a closely guarded secret and it wasn't until the 19th century that more affordable silver-backed mirrors became commonplace. Prior to the 19th century, mirrors were a luxury few could afford.
Features
-
Modern mirrors are made with various metals and reflective materials, but glass is still the most popular medium. Tin, silver, copper, and aluminum are all possible coatings for mirrors. Some metals are applied separately while others are applied in conjunction with each other. The metals are applied to the back of a mirror as a liquid for a smooth finish. Paint is sometimes used at a final coat to protect the metals from scratches.
Function
-
Mirrors are used not only as decoration or a way to see an image, but in a wide range of technical and scientific applications. Mirrors are used in the production of televisions, in telescopes, in microscopes, and even in items used in space travel. The Apollo 11 spacecraft left a special mirror on the surface of the moon to help scientists study the moon's movements. The mirror is still in use today.
Theories/Speculation
-
Mirrors have a long history steeped in superstition. One recurring superstition is that mirrors can steal or retain a part of a person's soul. This belief led to the seven years bad luck associated with breaking a mirror. The custom of covering a mirror at the wake of a deceased person is still practiced in some households. It's thought that leaving a mirror uncovered in the presence of a dead body would trap the soul of the deceased.
-
