Glass is everywhere ? in windows, bottles, mirrors, and even phones. But where did it come from? The story begins thousands of years ago, when ancient people discovered how to turn sand into a shiny, useful material.
Historians believe the earliest glass was made around 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Initially, it wasn’t used for windows but for small beads and jewelry. The glass-making process involved heating sand mixed with ash until it melted and hardened into a smooth surface.
By the first century B.C., the Romans developed glassblowing ? a technique that enabled cups, jars, and bottles to be made more quickly and affordably. During the Middle Ages, European artisans created vibrant stained-glass windows for cathedrals, transforming light into a work of art.
Today, glass is essential in buildings, science, and technology ? from microscopes to smartphones. From ancient beads to modern skyscrapers, glass has shaped the way humans live, see, and create.
Nancy Ahmed For The Junior Times junior/1761184411/1613367831
1. What were the earliest glass objects used for?
2. How did the Romans change glassmaking with glassblowing?
3. Why were stained-glass windows important in medieval cathedrals?
4. How is glass used differently today compared to ancient times?
1. Which use of glass do you find most interesting and why?
2. Have you ever seen stained-glass windows in real life? How did they make you feel?
3. If you could invent something new using glass, what would it be?
4. Do you think glass or plastic is more important in modern life? Why?
Glass is everywhere ? in windows, bottles, mirrors, and even phones. But where did it come from? The story begins thousands of years ago, when ancient people discovered how to turn sand into a shiny, useful material.
