Mirror Reflection History by Kaia Stonebrook

Mirror Reflection History explores the fascinating story of mirrors, from ancient reflective surfaces to modern glass creations, revealing their profound impact on culture and self-perception.
The book journeys through the science behind increasingly clear reflections, the diverse roles mirrors have played across cultures, and the philosophical implications of seeing ourselves reflected back.

It's intriguing to learn how early civilizations meticulously polished volcanic glass to create mirrors, while European glassmakers guarded their mirror-making techniques as national secrets.
The book emphasizes that the history of mirrors reflects humanity's evolving self-awareness.

As mirrors became more accessible, they fostered new forms of self-scrutiny and artistic expression, altering how humans interacted with their image and, by extension, the world.

The book begins by introducing the physics of reflection and early mirror examples, then explores their cultural significance in ancient civilizations, and finally examines the scientific breakthroughs that led to modern glass mirrors and their psychological impact.