Some think window films and window tinting are relatively new inventions, but the technology has actually been around for centuries—albeit in different forms. We will go back into the history books and dig out some examples from the past to learn more about how window films come to be what it is today. Let’s jump into it!
What people used back in the days
Some forms of sun protection have been used in houses dating back to the time of the ancient Mesopotamian civilisation. Windows back in those days may just have been openings in the wall, but the people of the time used curtains made of beads to reduce exposure to the sun.
This is a necessity since the weather around the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were speculated to be extremely hot and humid. The same technique was carried over by the Egyptians and later on, when the Romans started making glass, they infused it with metallic oxide powders to give it a darker appearance. This helped to reduce the transmission of light and heat, allowing the indoors to remain cooler than the outside.
A breakthrough in a modern era
It wasn’t until after the turn of the 20th century when window films as we know it started to become a necessity, thanks to Irving W. Colburn. The man was the first to build a machine that could mass-produce sheet glass for the first time, which has led to the rising production of glass cups, plates, doors, and windows.
As there was more glass being produced and sold, more and more people found that their homes had become significantly warmer and colder (in some cases, more uncomfortable) than it was before. This is because glass is an amazing conductor of heat and provides no insulative properties whatsoever. To better regulate indoor temperatures, people were looking for ways to reduce exposure to the sun and heat, which gave rise to the production of window films.
How window films came to be what we know of today
In 1966, the first window film as we know it was produced and later introduced into the market. While it may not have the sophisticated UV and glare protection that the ones we have today do, it could help to reduce some direct exposure to heat and sunlight. It achieved this by simply being a dark piece of elastic adhesive sheet that helps to reduce the heat gain on the window, dimming down the interior and allowing it to remain cooler.
The problem with early models of window films is that they were extremely short-lived, as it didn’t take them longer than one to two years to turn purple. However, the invention was later developed and improved upon until it became what we know it today. Later in the early 70s, window films were found to have fantastic uses for commercial properties such as factories, warehouses, and offices. It was then that window films were quickly developed to be bigger, better, and cheaper than ever before.
It was due to the trials and errors of these early forms of modern technology that we are able to enjoy what we have today.
As you can see, some forms of window films and sun protection have been with us from the very beginning of civilisation. This is the proof of the usefulness of these inventions and the reason why we should have them installed for our homes.
If you’re looking for the leading window film wholesale supplier in Australia, Premier Film Distribution stock a wide range of brands and a massive variety of products. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
