24 July 2011

The evolution of paint tubes

"...the squeezable tube with a screw-on lid is the one thing invented for art materials that found its way into everyday life. Think about how many things come in this container, toothpaste, ointments and creams, even food pastes. Originally artists made up their own paint (or, rather, the studio apprentice did) using the pigments they bought. The first ready-made paint was sold by colormen in pig's bladders, which you punched a hole in to get the paint out and then sealed with a tack. The next invention was a glass syringe, with the plunger squeezing the paint out..."
Via Victorian/Edwardian Paintings.

1 comment:

  1. On an interesting historical note, the first squeeze toothpaste tubes were inspired by paint tubes.

    It's been a while since I was on here last.

    ReplyDelete

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