The Mirror

A mirror is something we all use every day. When you look at a mirror, you see a copy of yourself staring back. Mirrors are made of smooth glass with a thin layer of shiny metal behind it. This layer bounces light back so you can see a clear picture.

Mirrors in History

The first mirrors were just pools of still water. Later, people polished stones and metals to see their reflection. Ancient Egyptians made mirrors out of shiny copper about 6,000 years ago. Glass mirrors like ours were made in Germany in 1835. A chemist named Justus von Liebig found a way to coat glass with silver.

Mirrors Everywhere

Mirrors are found in many places. You see them in bathrooms, on cars, and in dressing rooms. Telescopes use huge mirrors to look at faraway stars. Funhouse mirrors are bent to make you look tall, short, or wiggly. Some mirrors are used in lasers and science experiments.

Fun Facts

• The biggest mirror in space is on the James Webb Space Telescope.
• A one-way mirror lets people see through it from one side only.
• Cats and dogs often do not understand mirrors and bark at themselves.

Did You Know?

If two mirrors face each other, you can see your reflection over and over, going on almost forever.