Let's return to the world of silver in 1933. Author Frederick Simpich is informing us about all things silver in Pieces of Silver, National Geographic Magazine, September, 1933. Silver had been used for money in most parts of the world for centuries but was abandoned in most countries for "the gold standard." Silver was also used for making decorative items such as jewelry, eating utensils and dishes.
Most interesting was the use of silver in photographic processes. In our digital age, it is not common to develop actual film in the various silver solutions needed, but it is still done on a limited basis. Here are the percentages: "Using about 40 percent (of the silver supply), sterling manufacture led in silver consumption in 1932. Photography was next, using 30 percent, while only 5 percent was used for jewelry and coinage," (photo caption, p. 277).
FYI: "Forks were not generally used until the early 16th century, when Italian nobility started the fashion," (p. 275).
FYI: Did you know that in American Colonial times, our "Paul Revere, famous rider and dentist, also was an engraver and silversmith"? (photo caption, p. 281).
Mr. Simpich details all the many uses of silver and concludes, "This is the saga of silver. From that one ancient Greek mine, man's quest and use of silver have spread, till now this metal reaches every nook and cranny of the civilized world. Hardly a man in the world's two billions but knows its touch," (p. 292). As for our story of 2014, perhaps a hundred years from now someone will write of our love affair with plastic!
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