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Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin

Heating Up History

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A Reflection in Time

We’ve all heard of the term “smoke and mirrors” to describe incredible feats. Well, not so many centuries ago, a mirror was its own incredible feat.

I know what you’re thinking. “A couple weeks ago we got a piece on penis enlargement and now you’re doing mirrors?!” Well, yes – yes, I am. Because 1. It’s interesting and 2. My oldest minion who has a penchant for staring at herself would avidly tout the importance of one’s reflection. Oh, and 3. It’s always something good to know when writing historicals.  J

So, how old are mirrors anyway?

Would you believe that the oldest mirrors date back to 6000 BC? I mean, they weren’t the kind you see today. They were primitive shards of carved and polished volcanic glass. As time went on, processes got a little more refined…and a little more costly.

Later times saw metals like copper and bronze flattened and polished into reflective surfaces. I imagine these would look kind of like those warped no-break metal mirrors in all the high schools now, less the filmy cleaning solution streaks.

As people became more advanced, so too did their methods. Glass was finally used along with all sorts of wonderful, healthy-for-us metals. There was hand blown glass dipped in lead, there was glass tinted or lined with mercury. Fine for the users, but I’m sure the manufacturers suffered for their labor.

Around the 1600’s Venice got in on the mirror industry and dominated it. No surprise there, right? Their mirrors were made with mercury and tin amalgams and were crazy expensive. So if you use a mirror in your book, make sure you have that person be very well off or you need to get a little more creative with your description. 😉

The modern day mirror we are all accustomed to didn’t come around until 1835 when some German guy made a sheet of glass with a metal coating the back for the reflective quality. That same concept is still used today with molten aluminum or silver sprayed onto the back of a sheet of glass.

What’s with mirrors and superstition anyway?

Like the native Americans who felt someone taking a picture of them would capture their soul, people in ancient times felt like seeing their reflection had an impact on their soul. Breaking a mirror was like the breaking of one’s soul. Fortunately, a shattered mirror in those times was like a damaged credit report today – you could recover if you waited long enough. In this case, the time happened to be seven years.

There is also a tradition in some countries (more prevalent in history than today) to cover mirrors when someone died. There are two popular beliefs for this act. The first is that if someone died  unexpectedly, especially through something violent like car accident or murder, their soul will use the mirror to look for a body to inhabit to finalize uncompleted tasks. Creepy, right? Kinda gave me chills when I read that. The second belief is that a fleeing soul will get distracted by the shiny reflection, fly to it and get trapped. I guess even souls have ADD.

So, there you have it folks, the truth behind mirrors. On a side note, when I die, will someone please cover a mirror? I’ve got a thing for shiny stuff….

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Filed Under: Inventions in History Tagged With: history of mirrors, invention of the mirror

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madelinemmartin

👩🏻‍💻USA Today Bestselling author of #historicalromance, mother of minions, watcher of cat videos, drinker of wine, poster of pics

When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck le When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck lets you know they love you 😻
I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cove I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cover for The Last Bookshop in London - a WWII Historical Fiction

The art team at @hanoversquarepress did such a gorgeous job on this cover! I love it so much!!! 

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London is dismal under the weight of impending war with Germany as Hitler’s forces continue to sweep across Europe. Into this uncertain maelstrom steps Grace Bennett, young and ready for a fresh start in the bustling city streets she’s always dreamed of—and miles away from her troubled past in the countryside.

With aspirations of working at a department store, Grace never imagined she’d wind up employed at Primrose Hill, an offbeat bookshop nestled in the heart of the city—after all, she’s never been much of a reader. Overwhelmed with organizing the cluttered store, she doesn’t have time to read the books she sells. But when one is gifted to her, what starts as an obligation becomes a passion that draws her into the incredible world of literature.

As the Blitz rains down bombs on the city night after night, a devastating attack leaves the libraries and shops of London’s literary center in ruins. Miraculously, Grace’s bookshop survives the firestorm. Through blackouts and air raids, Grace continues running the shop, discovering a newfound comfort in the power of words and storytelling that unites her community in ways she never imagined—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of war-torn London.

Link in bio!
Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Bookshop in London!! I'm so excited!! 😆
How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the l How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the latter just came in the mail! 😆 
I love how Harlequin Historical sends us copies of the translated versions of our books! It’s just such a cool thing to see and hold 🥰
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