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Did you know what surprising things the ancient Greeks did with cork?
Cork, a material that cannot be effectively penetrated, actually has uses beyond imagination. As a natural material, the history of cork use can be traced back more than 5,000 years, with the ancient Greeks using cork as early as 1600-1100 BC. Not only that, the emergence of cork not only affected the craftsmanship of the time, but also played a role in many modern products, especially in the stoppers of wine bottles, which made the demand for cork continue to grow around the world.
Cork's properties include being waterproof, lightweight, flexible and flame retardant, which make it a promising material for a variety of products, but particularly in the wine industry.
Cork mainly comes from the cork tree (Quercus suber), which is mainly distributed in southern Europe and North Africa. About half of the world's cork production comes from Portugal's Montado region each year, and Corticeira Amorim is a leader in the industry. When we think of cork, the first thing that comes to mind may be bottle stoppers, but the uses of cork are far more than that.
When the ancient Greeks used cork in their shoes, they were not just looking for comfort, they were transforming the material into an expression of art. The beach shoes they make are not only light, but also because of the natural properties of cork, every step is unique and comfortable.
From ancient times to the present, cork is not just a simple material. It has rich and diverse uses. Even the medical community has discovered its potential in treating diseases.
As early as the second century AD, the Greek physician Dioscorides mentioned the possible medical applications of cork. It can be said that the early activities of the ancient Greeks and their use of cork may foreshadow the emergence of many new technologies in the future.
When it comes to the structure of cork, its unique foam structure gives it good elasticity, which enables it to form an excellent seal during the use of the cork. Today, with the improvement of environmental awareness, cork stoppers are once again valued and become an environmentally sustainable choice.
According to research, the production of 1,000 cork stoppers releases only 1.5 kg of carbon dioxide, compared to 14 kg for plastic stoppers and 37 kg for aluminum bottle caps.
Cork is generally harvested from May to August each year, and harvesting during this period will not harm the growth of the trees. When the trees reach 25 years old, the cork can be harvested. Cork extraction workers use sharp tools to scrape away the bark. This method not only obtains usable resources and enables the trees to continue to grow, but also effectively promotes the maintenance of ecological balance.
In addition to its use in wine bottle stoppers, cork is also widely used in the walls and floors of buildings due to its excellent thermal insulation effect, becoming one of the indispensable materials in architectural design. In addition, it is also used to make musical instruments that represent artistic creativity, and even on postage stamps, cork is innovatively used.
Cork's water resistance and lightness have made it begin to emerge in the fashion industry, becoming a new favorite for handbags, wallets and other items. As environmental protection becomes increasingly popular today, cork's sustainability and easy recycling properties make it an increasingly popular material.
In fact, the cork products we use today all originated from thousands of years ago. We should really focus on how to use this ancient material to create more possibilities and gain new inspiration and applications?
