Mirrors are everyday objects that people constantly stop to admire themselves in and often something we take for granted. We don't think about mirrors much; why would we? It's just an object you walk past.
Mirrors were first found around 6,000-8,000 years ago. Archaeologists found that mirrors were made out of polished obsidian in Turkey. Around 3,000 BCE, Ancient Egypt made polished copper mirrors, whilst Ancient Greece and Rome found bronze and silver mirrors. Although these discoveries were made, none were like the modern mirrors we have today. The very first glass mirror, backed with metal, was founded in the 13th century in Europe. In the 19th century, modern mirrors using silver-coated glass were developed. This shows mirrors were not just 'invented'; they evolved over time as humans learnt more about them.
Mirrors work, simply, by reflecting light. The law of reflection states, 'The angle at which light hits the mirror is equal to the angle at which it reflects.' The mirror's surface is extremely smooth, making the reflected light 'organised', showing you a clear picture.
Some people think mirrors should not have been invented because of superstitions and myths, the fear of vanity and the distrust of new technology.
Many cultures shared the belief that mirrors could trap souls and act as a gateway to other worlds. Many also believe that breaking a mirror can lead to 7 years of bad luck. As well as these beliefs, some think mirrors attract spirits and demons. Whilst scientists have not confirmed these beliefs are true, some still think that this is the case for these widely used objects.
The fear of vanity is simple. People believe that looking in mirrors shows your real self and can make people upset and jealous of others' reflections. As well as this, self-focus was frowned upon, as they thought you thought that you were better than everybody else – even leaders.
The distrust of new technology is also simple. A good example of this is when phones came out, people didn't believe these would work the way people said they would, and this is the case for mirrors as well. When something new is made, people don't trust it until it has been approved by big companies, which did not exist 6,000-8,000 years ago. As time passed, people trusted in this invention as it was widely used.
Mirrors are an invention that has changed the world in many ways, even though it may not seem like it. Mirrors made a mark in history, and that is super important for the way the world works.