The household mirror is a fairly common object with some interesting origins. It used to be made of pure obsidian, and the first mirrors were most likely nothing more than pools of water. Polished stones were also used throughout the ancient realm, with the Chinese using bronze to reflect their own appearance.

Today, the household mirror is made en masse in factories around the world, with sputtering systems that create thin films of reflective coatings on the surface of the mirror.

Mirrors are basically panes of glass with a thin layer of metal that has been layed over the surface. The first mention of this kind of technology goes back as far as ancient Rome, where mirrors were glass panes backed by gold leafing.

Glass is the most common substrate today, as it is the most durable of most transparent materials. It’s also easy to fabricate, and to shape to just about any size. Modern day mirrors are similar in construction to their ancient counterparts. Optical coating systems apply the reflective coating to the back of the glass, to prevent everyday abrasion from damaging the mirrored finish. Some mirror makers even add a layer of protective paint to the metallic layer on the back to prevent damage when the mirror is being hung or transported.

Although this method has roots in ancient Rome, it was first formally practiced in Murano during the 16^th century. Glass makers would use mercury to coat the glass and obtain a near perfect sheen.

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Bio: Denton Vacuum, LLC makes thin film deposition systems used to create household mirrors, metalize plastic, create medical equipment