“HISTORY OF MIRRORS"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 38, 16 February 1943, Page 4

“HISTORY OF MIRRORS"

ROTARY CLUB ADDRESSED VIEWS OF MR. J. D. MORGAN. “Not so universally used as to-day, mirrors were well known in many parts of the world several thousand years ago,” said Mr. J. D. Morgan, in the course of an address on “The History of Mirrors” to members of the Wanganui Rotary Club yesterday. He said the year 1500, the turning point between the Middle Ages and modern times, was a landmark in the history of mirrors. In 1503 two inhabitants o. Murano, Venice, the brothers Andrea and Domenicodel Gallo, were authorised by the Venetian counsel to make mirrors with a Flemish firm in Flanders, then belonging to Germany. The firm was the only glass house possessing the secret ot making large size mirrors of glass. The method they used was the Tin-Amalgam process and it dominated the manufacture oi mirrors for nearly 400 years. Many a mirror still in use was made by this method. Mr. Morgan said the history of the mirror in modern times is essentially a description of inventions and developments of new manufacturing metnods. During the last 150 years new processes oi making mirrors were introduced, but, brilliant and outstanding as these methods were, their importance in fostering the trade did not in the opinion ot tne speaker, appear to be oi such revolutionary character as the invention of 400 years ago. Then looking-glasses became universal and accessible to everybody. Now, said Mr. Morgan, the mam feature is that manufacture is simplified ana facilitated and new applicaLions added. As fashion changes with time, and in accordance witn tne greatly increased use ot glass tor practical and decorative purposes, tne form, type and shape oi mirrors have been modified to a delightful variety. The modern mirror impresses by itself not by its frame, it is its architectural lorm and its ornamentation, whether by cutting or engraving, which creates its beauty, addeu the speaker. Concluding his talk, Mr. Morgan referred to two outstanding undertakings of silvering in recent times in the creation of the two largest telescope effectors ever produced, the 100-inch reflector for the Mt. Wilson Observatory 2o years ago, and the 200-inch reflector lor Mt. falomar. What it means to build a reflector like that can be seen by mentioning that the Paiomar reflector is 30 inches thick, measures 17 feet across and weighs . tons. Scientists and laymen wonder what this giant reflecting mirror will reveal, adaed Mr. Morgan. The old legend that things tar away can be detected in a looking-glass will be particularly true with this magic mirror. Development has transformed mirrors from a luxury of kings to everyone’s necessity, and from a pastime to an instrument of universal interest. “Its history demonstrates that even humble things can become important beyond expectations,” concluded Mr. Morgan.

The vote of thanks was moved by Mr. J. L. BarribaH.