Ceramics have been around for thousands of years now. When most people think of ceramics, they think of ceramic bowls or a sink or bathtub. These are traditional uses for ceramic and have been around almost as long as ceramics themselves, but the technology is still evolving. Modern ceramics have uses in medicine, space exploration, and industrial uses. Here is a basic introduction to ceramics.
History
Ceramics have been around for at least 25,000 years. Early uses of ceramics were clay or earthen pots used to store food and water. These early pots lead humans to develop better firing techniques to give them harder ceramics. These techniques have evolved over the years, and now ceramics are being produced using modern techniques that are being used on space shuttles.
Uses In Today’s World
Ceramics may be an ancient technology, but they are more important today than at any other point in human history. The entire infrastructure of modern society relies on ceramics. Glass, one example of ceramics, is used in every building and automotive produced today. They are also used in electronics as semiconductors to allow for the development of computer chips.
Ceramics are also vital to the production of the steel used in modern day life. This is because the equipment used to melt the iron to make steel must be lined with ceramics as an insulator. This allows the temperature to get much higher without damaging the equipment itself.
What Is Ceramics?
While modern ceramics cover a vast array of compositions, traditional ceramics can mostly be considered earthen materials. This means items such as clay pots, porcelain, and glass are all examples of traditional ceramics. Modern ceramics are far more advanced and are still being further developed.
If you are interested in ceramics, then the best way to get into the field is to get your ceramics MFA. There are many art schools that offer ceramic degree programs, so be sure to find the one that is right for you. If you are interested in getting your ceramics MFA, then contact the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
