WINDOWS

We usually take windows for granted and probably none of you have ever thought of how windows have become a part of our daily lives. Yes, they enable us to see what’s going on outside without being outside. However, how did people come up with the idea of having windows?

Well, the earliest structures which were built by primitive people were crude, windowless enclosures. Their main aims were to keep out the weather and protect themselves from wild animals or other hostile enemies. They used to have a small hole, usually made in the middle of the ceiling in order to let out smoke from a fire. Light only came in through the door. Buildings were windowless so they were not only dark but also caused problems as people were usually unaware of rival tribes or wild animals that were lurking outside. At first, windows were simple holes in the walls of dwellings. Then, people began covering windows with things like wood, paper, or animal skins.

In the past, cloth, wood, oiled animal skins and translucent stones and other various materials were used to make windows. Paper windows were also popular in ancient China, Korea, and Japan. The first ancient people known to have used glass for windows were the Romans.

Ancient Roman glass windows didn't exactly look like the windows we have today, though. They were small and thick and they weren't transparent enough to see through clearly.

Transparent glass windows weren't widely available in England until the early 17th century. Our modern floor-to-ceiling windows are an even more recent invention.

Adapted from wonderopolis.org