The History of Glitter

One of our Facebook fans came up with this topic.  :)  Thanks Kelly!

During my research on the history of glitter, I found this cool video that I must share...

The glitter that was used by ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans was what is known today as mica.  Mica is a Latin word which means "a crumb".  It comes from the earth in the forms of crystals, flakes and sheets and is ground up into fine, shimmery powder.  It was used to decorate pottery, jazz up cave paintings and add sparkle to their makeup.

Mica is in widespread use today and is used in the painting and drilling industries, for example.  It even helps to reinforce drywall (who knew?).   And of course it is found in lots of cosmetic products.  Eyeshadow, lotions, nail polish...do your kids use sparkly toothpaste?  Mica!  I often use mica in my bath and body products, too.

The glitter that we use in arts and crafts like scrap booking, school projects and party decorations was actually invented sometime in the 1930s by a New Jersey cattle farmer named Henry Ruschmann.  In his spare time he managed to figure out a way to cut brightly colored plastic film so precisely and finely that he produced glitter.  He went on to found his own glitter supplying company which is still in business today.  Why am I not working there? 

My personal history with glitter goes back further than I can remember.  As a teeny little girl, it caught my eye everywhere I went - my mum's sugary diamond ring, my Barbie doll's clothes, the sparkly paint on my tricycle...and when I ran fast enough, the ground glittered on my way to school (must have been those mica flakes).

But my favourite glittery ritual is when I put my little one to bed, we put fairy dust in our hands, close our eyes, rub our hands together while making a wish and then sprinkle the glitter over her pillow.  She has sweet, glittery dreams every time!  :)


What is your favourite use for glitter?