How Are Mirrors Made?

Jay Lubker • September 14, 2023

Each day, we walk by dozens of mirrors without ever paying attention to the ancient craftsmanship that made them so common in modern times. So, just how were mirrors first discovered, and how are they made today? Read on to learn more!

The First Mirrors

The use of mirrors by humans dates back as far as 8000 BC in what is now modern Turkey. Humans began to polish solid pieces of obsidian to create a smooth and reflective surface. These early forms of mirrors, however, were tiny, heavy, very expensive, and rare, reserved only for the ruling class of the time.

As the popularity of mirrors grew and humans remained in awe, other cultures began to develop their own styles of mirror designs and production. Across all corners of the globe, humans began finding their own local tools and materials to craft mirrors, including bronze, copper, and even stone. While there is no exact timeline for the discovery of glass mirrors, historians believe that they first appeared in Rome in the 1500s, where sheets of glass were lined with reflective materials such as lead.

Fast Forward to the Industrial Revolution, when chemist Justus von Liebig discovered the wet deposition method of mirror production. Wet deposition presses glass with a smooth coating of silver and allows for cheap mass production. This method of wet deposition is still used today, albeit with cheaper alternatives to silver!

Mirrors Today

Nowadays, mirrors are everywhere and no longer reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Streamlined mass production and cheaper materials have made making mirrors easier than ever before. Here’s how:

Glass is cleaned to prevent scratches or other impurities.
Aluminum or other materials are bonded to the glass surface in a process called silvering.
Specialized protective lamination is added to the mirror’s front, back, and sides to enhance reflections and prevent fingerprints, oxidation, and other damage.
Mirrors are checked for quality before being cut. Mirrors can be cut in virtually any custom shape and multiple thicknesses to create sleek or stronger surfaces.

Custom Mirrors in MetroWest Boston

The history of mirrors is certainly an interesting one. Lucky for you, mirrors can now be produced easily and with low costs. This is a far cry from the obsidian mirrors of ancient Turkey! Are you interested in custom mirrors of your own for your MetroWest home or business? Atlas Glass can make it happen! Our team proudly supplies top-quality mirrors with full customization options. Contact us today for a quote on your custom mirror.