Glass was invented by an anonymous volcano many centuries ago, even before calendars, so we don’t know exactly when some molten rock flowed down the side of that volcano, was cooled when it hit the nearby ocean and a crude type of glass was created. That particular process was never patented so you can make your own glass now if you live near an active volcano and have ocean beach priveleges. But please be careful and use potholders, very thick ones.
Thank God for giving us that volcanic hint. Who would have thought of making something transparent out of rocks? And thank the Egyptians and Romans for greatly improving the recipe later or the world would be a lot different now than it is. Without glass windows our electric billls would be sky high and what would our light bulbs be made of? And if there were no drinking glasses our beer would have to be sipped directly from the kegs. I tried that once during my reckless youth. It can be quite strenuous and messy.
Our ancestors perfected glass and started working on mirrors. Imagine a world without mirrors. Stone Age people would get glimpses of their faces in ponds or rivers on calm days. Who did they think that was mimicking them down there? And once they got used to the miracle, did these cave people take advantage of it, managing to adapt to the reverse images like we do when we shave or put on lipstick?
Horsepower would probably still be our main source of transportation. How could we speed down our superhighways without windshields and rearview mirrors? No, goggles wouldn’t be available either.
Take a moment to think about the wonders of glass and how we would live without it. Reflect on that!
Imagine That 