The word 'Ceramic' comes from the Greek word Keramos, meaning pottery
The earliest known use of tiles was about 4000BC in Egypt, whereclay bricks were baked in the sun, used a blue glaze made from copper.
They were also found in Mesopotamia (Iraq) dating from 4000BC, here they had already begun to vary the color decoration of the tiles.
First ceramic tiles produced in China (Shang-Yin Dynasty, 1523-1028BC)
Tiles in Pompeii are still in very good condition, even after being buried for 2000 years in ash .
Tile decoration was perfected in Persia
In the 11th century, Arabian influence led Spain to become a major ceramic tile producer
Tile production really took off in Europe in the 12th century – specifically Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, and Holland, each with a different style of tile
The first production factory was in Malaga then moved to the Mediterranean coast.
As early tiles were handmade, the techniques were passed from father to son so very few written reports into the techniques used exist
Tile production in North America began in the 19th century when European craftsmen brought it with them to the New World
