Simple Guide To Past History Of Sash Windows
Sash windows are commonly made of two wooden frames where one is above the other and slightly overlapping. This allows either of them to be closed or opened by sliding them up or down within the grooves. These types of windows have had a long European history more so in the United Kingdom but the origin of the first design is very difficult to trace.
The Dutch are often thought to be the originators of this technology with historians placing the date of invention somewhere in the mid 1600s. The Milkmaid by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer has what is seen to be the tale-tell two framed window in the background. The painting is believed to have been completed in the late 1660s but some refuse to acknowledge this as conclusive.
Again, the word sash is very similar to the French word chassis which means frame. Therefore, another group of historians believe that the French came up with this technology which was then adopted by the English builders via the Dutch but there is no proof of this also.
Some records show that the English inventor Robert Hooke may have been the designer of this technology which was first utilized in England sometimes in the 17th century. What may baffle you are the claims that a book known as Vulgaria by W. Horman dating back to the 14th century clearly depicts the window plus the technology that was used to open and shut the frames.
The nationality of the first inventor may be unknown but it is in England where numerous innovations made the design usable and preferred by many. The engineers installed concealed weights and levers which enabled the lifting of even the heaviest of the frames with relative ease with just a pulling of the cord.
It is in the 17th century that architects such as Inigo Jones introduced the design in popular architectural work. Throughout the Georgian era many inventions were made further popularizing the windows. However, it is during the Victorian age that the technology achieved its highest glory probably due to the adoption of the design by royalty. Almost all of the buildings done at this age utilize this technology and those standing today have these windows in working condition.
The design may no longer be in vogue but the technology still lives on even after almost 500 years. Advancements have brought about changes in the design of the windows but the basic appealing structure still remains in countless homes. From the UK the technology has spread throughout the commonwealth as a mark of true English tradition.
The Dutch are often thought to be the originators of this technology with historians placing the date of invention somewhere in the mid 1600s. The Milkmaid by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer has what is seen to be the tale-tell two framed window in the background. The painting is believed to have been completed in the late 1660s but some refuse to acknowledge this as conclusive.
Again, the word sash is very similar to the French word chassis which means frame. Therefore, another group of historians believe that the French came up with this technology which was then adopted by the English builders via the Dutch but there is no proof of this also.
Some records show that the English inventor Robert Hooke may have been the designer of this technology which was first utilized in England sometimes in the 17th century. What may baffle you are the claims that a book known as Vulgaria by W. Horman dating back to the 14th century clearly depicts the window plus the technology that was used to open and shut the frames.
The nationality of the first inventor may be unknown but it is in England where numerous innovations made the design usable and preferred by many. The engineers installed concealed weights and levers which enabled the lifting of even the heaviest of the frames with relative ease with just a pulling of the cord.
It is in the 17th century that architects such as Inigo Jones introduced the design in popular architectural work. Throughout the Georgian era many inventions were made further popularizing the windows. However, it is during the Victorian age that the technology achieved its highest glory probably due to the adoption of the design by royalty. Almost all of the buildings done at this age utilize this technology and those standing today have these windows in working condition.
The design may no longer be in vogue but the technology still lives on even after almost 500 years. Advancements have brought about changes in the design of the windows but the basic appealing structure still remains in countless homes. From the UK the technology has spread throughout the commonwealth as a mark of true English tradition.
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