History and Development of Mirrors

Ancient mirrors: In the early days, ancient people used water as a mirror and used a copper vessel called "jian" to reflect their reflections. Bronze mirrors were already available in China around 2000 BC. Initially, the bronze mirrors were relatively thin, round with flanges, with decorative patterns or inscriptions on the back, and a semicircular button in the center. Mirrors made of obsidian, copper and other materials also appeared in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and other regions.
Medieval mirrors: In medieval Europe, small portable mirrors were popular. They were often placed in ivory or precious metal boxes with combs. Most of them were silver or polished bronze mirrors. From the end of the 12th century to the beginning of the 13th century, glass mirrors with silver or iron sheets as the back appeared.
Modern mirrors: In the 16th century, the cylinder method for making plate glass and the tin amalgam method were invented, which gradually popularized glass mirrors and reduced metal mirrors. In the second half of the 17th century, France invented the casting method for making flat glass and produced high-quality large glass mirrors. In 1835, German chemist J.von Leibiger invented the chemical silver plating method, which further promoted the widespread application of glass mirrors.
Modern mirrors: With the advancement of technology, the manufacturing process of mirrors has been continuously improved and the cost has been reduced. Various curved mirrors have appeared, such as spherical rear-view parabolic mirrors used in cars and parabolic mirrors used for focusing in telescopes. The use of mirrors is becoming more and more extensive.
Types and uses of mirrors
Plane mirrors: The surface is flat and smooth, and can form a virtual image of equal size. It is often used in bathrooms and bedrooms in the home as a dressing mirror to help people tidy up their appearance; it is also used in dance classrooms, gyms and other places to facilitate people to correct their postures.
Concave mirror: The reflecting surface faces the center of curvature, and parallel light rays are incident on the concave mirror and reflected and then gathered to the focus. It can be used in solar cookers to gather sunlight for heating; in car lights or searchlights, placing the light source at the focus of the concave mirror can make the light reflect parallel light; it can also be used in reflecting telescopes to converge the light of distant objects into images.
Convex mirror: The reflective surface faces away from the center of curvature, and the object forms a reduced upright image behind the mirror, which can reflect a large range of reduced landscapes. Commonly used in the rearview mirror of a car, it allows the driver to see a wider range of rear road conditions, and is also used at turns on the road to help people observe blind spots.
Cultural and psychological significance of mirrors
Cultural symbolism: In many cultures, mirrors have special symbolic significance. In traditional Chinese culture, mirrors are believed to have the function of warding off evil spirits and guarding the house, and are often hung at the door or window. In Western culture, mirrors are also associated with magic, mysticism, etc., such as the magic mirror in fairy tales.
Psychological impact: Mirrors have a certain impact on people's psychology. It can help people recognize their appearance and enhance self-awareness. At the same time, the image in the mirror will also affect people's emotions and psychological state. For example, seeing one's neat and confident image will make people feel happy and enhance self-confidence; while seeing oneself tired and sloppy may make people feel depressed. In addition, in some psychotherapy, mirrors are also used as a tool to help patients better understand their emotions and behaviors.
Mirror Care and Maintenance
Cleaning method: Wipe the mirror regularly with a clean, soft cloth or special glass cleaner to remove dust, stains and water stains on the surface. Avoid using rough objects to wipe to avoid scratching the mirror. For stubborn stains, you can use a small amount of alcohol or white vinegar to wipe, but be careful to avoid contact with the edge and back of the mirror to avoid damaging the mirror coating.
Avoid collision: Mirrors are fragile and easy to break in collisions. Be careful to avoid collisions between mirrors and hard objects. When transporting and installing mirrors, be careful and gentle, and it is best to use special packaging materials for protection.
Prevent moisture: Mirrors are prone to rust and mold in a humid environment for a long time, affecting the use effect and life. Therefore, install the mirror in a dry and ventilated place to avoid direct contact with moisture. If there is water vapor on the surface of the mirror, wipe it dry in time.