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The History of Paint
Dating back as far as 30,000 years ago early humans all over the world were decorating their caves with paints made from a mix natural elements. The original color pallet consisted of four basic hues, Red Ochre, Yellow Ochre, Black and Calcite White. The first white pigment, chalk, was composed of calcium carbonate, which originated in sea fossils that has settled on the ocean floor over millions of years. Black pigments were made with the charcoal from early humans fire pits and had many uses, including paint making. Red and yellow ochre are made from naturally tinted clays containing mineral oxides and are the first colors humans used, aside from black and white, to adorn themselves and the places they lived. People in Africa today still use Red Ochre today to color their hair and make paints for their faces and art. It's also still used by paint makers to make some historical hues. Ochre hues can range from brown and yellow to red and violet.
Paint has been used for a wide veriety of applications, art, protecting surfaces and decorating interiors and exteriors of our homes. Humans have always used colors to define their cultures. Many great civilaztions throughout history held beleifs that color had healing or even magical powers. Some Chinese Emporers were referred to as colors such as Huang Ti or 'The Yellow Emperor' who ruled in the 3rd millennium bc (2696-2598 BCE) . The Aztecs thought red dye to be as valuble as gold and many cultures used vibrant paints to adorn their most prized engeering feats. Paint making skills have been revered through out history with many cultures developing their own mixtures of natural elements. By 1000 B.C., paints had been developed using the gum of the acacia tree by the Egyptians who started mixing colors. One of the first synthetic pigments was 'Egyptian Blue', which is made up of silica, lime, copper and alkali. Walls painted in ancient Egypt over 2,000 years ago still have remains of vibrant colors today. Their paint was also made with egg yolk, so it would stick to the surface and harden. Other pigments were made from plants sands and different soil types. The Chinese have mined natural cinnabar for thousands of years and is the original red pigment associated with the Chinese civilization. A synthetic version of cinnabar, called vermilion, was found in the ancient city of Pompeii dating back to 79 A.D. Vermilion is one of the most vibrant reds found in all of antiquity and has always been associated with wealth and prestige. Today Vermilion can be compared to the Red Carpet in Hollywood.
It wasn't until the 19th century however that people would start painting their homes' exteriors in America to both protect and decorate. In early America it was considered a display of vanity and in 1630 a clergyman, from Charlestown, MA was charged with a sacrilegious crime for painting the interior of his house. In 1867 D.R. Averill of Ohio was issued a Patetnt for the first of the 'ready mix' Paints we know today. Averill's paint never took off, however around that same time someone else was mixing paints. In 1877, Sherwin-Williams & Company developed the first patented reclosable paint can. This ment paint could be stored and reused, a revolution at the time. Prior to this innovation paints had to be mixed by the painters on site by mixing different pigments with oils, lead was also added to speed up the drying time. At the beginning of the decade, SW improved its liquid paint formula and was marketed under the Osborn label for 2 years before being introduced as 'SWP' 'Sherwin-Williams Paint'the first mixed paint to receive considerable public acceptance.
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In 1892, Benjamin Moore refined the process which he originally had developed for his Calsom Finish and introduced a new product called 'Muresco' a wall and ceiling finish unique for its time. 'Muresco' became a household name and is even in Websters Standard Dictionary. 'Sani-Flat' was another innovative product, a lead free, decorative, flat finish it could withstand frequent washings. In 2008 after 3 years of devolpement Bnejamin Moore released 'Aura', a revolutionary 100% acyrlic paint. The company calls it 'the world’s most advanced interior finish' and they could be right.
Today there are many different manufactures making dozens of finishes in literally thousands of colors. Modern paints are made up of four main components, pigments, binder or vehicle, solvents and additives. One of the new finishing techniques is called faux finishing. Faux finishes are becoming very popular ways to finish walls. Faux finishes can mimic stones, stucco and even wood. Designs are also a popular option now. From stripes to murals, designs can also be a bold presence in a room. Still, with all the different finishes and colors, quality still matters most. While some brands claim to have a #1 rating, their paints just don't hold up. An inferior paint will take more coats, look fake, let old colors bleed through, won't settle even, fade over time and rub off with just a couple washings.Today more than ever consumers can utilize the benefits of quality paint. Your home can be literally transformed with just a few gallons of Quality Paint and a Quality Painter.
By Jeff Hartford
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