Prompt Cast
The History and Science of Mirrors: From Ancient Obsidian to Modern Silvering
TLDR Mirrors have a long history, with the earliest ones made of polished obsidian dating back to 6000 BC. The invention of silvering during the Renaissance revolutionized mirror technology, and mirrors have been used for art, telescopes, and various superstitions throughout history.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode discusses the history and production of mirrors, including the fact that full-length mirrors have only been around for 400 years.
03:50
Full-length mirrors have been around since the first century AD, but the production of mirrors using polished surfaces dates back to 6000 BC, with the earliest ones being made of polished obsidian, and mirror technology took a leap forward during the Renaissance with the invention of silvering.
07:48
Good mirrors came about at the same time as linear perspective in art, and mirrors were also used to make reflecting telescopes and by early scientist Archimedes.
11:29
Mirrors work through the process of reflection, with light bouncing off a smooth surface like a mirror and being scattered when hitting other surfaces, allowing us to see ourselves in a virtual image.
15:32
Mirrors create a virtual image that is a reflection of ourselves, but from the mirror's perspective, it is actually a representation of us in the mirror world, with the mirror acting as the halfway point between us and our virtual self.
18:48
Convex mirrors reflect at a wider angle near the edges, making objects appear smaller but allowing for a larger field of view, while concave mirrors are used for holograms and lighting the Olympic torch; two-way mirrors work by reflecting some light and allowing some to pass through, creating a reflective surface that can only be seen from one side.
22:17
The podcast discusses various movie scenes involving mirrors and superstitions related to mirrors, such as summoning Bloody Mary or Candy Man.
25:56
Various superstitions and beliefs related to mirrors, such as the idea that vampires have no soul and can't see themselves in mirrors, covering mirrors during the mourning process in Judaism, and the belief in the mirror people in ancient Chinese mythology.
29:49
There is an event called the Walk to Beat Lung Cancer in New York City on October 24, 2010, and participation is encouraged.
Categories:
Society & Culture
