You may not realize this, but every time you pull the cord on your window blinds, opening and closing them to control light and privacy, you’re part of a tradition that’s thousands of years old. According to many historians, blinds have existed, in one form or another, across centuries and cultures, proving that no matter who we are or where we’re from, we all want peace, quiet and a little privacy. Window blinds are one of the rare products that deliver all three.
 
To show you what we mean, let’s travel through time and peek in the windows of our ancestors:
 
Egypt
 
King Tutankhamen was the ruler of Egypt, and he spent much of his reign building temples, monuments and, of course, his own tomb. At home with his wife, however, he was just plain Tut, a man who just wanted to read his hieroglyphics in peace. As soon as the day was over and Tut was home, the first thing he did was close his window blinds, made from reeds harvested from the Nile River, and breathe a king-sized sigh of relief. 
 
China
 
Today, Confucius is known for his many wise and profound sayings. “Better a diamond with a flaw then a pebble without.” “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” “No window is complete without a good set of blinds.” Okay, so maybe that last one isn’t a direct quote, but since Confucius was a smart man, we think he’d agree – especially after lowering his own set of bamboo blinds to keep the world out while he meditated.
England
 
In 1760, a man named Gowin Knight knew a good idea when he saw one. The best idea he ever encountered were the blinds he used in his home – slats, connected by a series of cords could be adjusted to control light and privacy in his home. While Knight didn’t invent these blinds, he did manage to take out a patent on them. He was also a physicist, scientist and librarian, but let’s face it – his patent on window blinds was almost certainly his greatest achievement. 
 
America

Thomas Jefferson is well known as one of America’s Founding Fathers, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States. But did you also know he was a great lover of window blinds? When he moved the capital of the United States from Williamsburg to Richmond (the District of Columbia wasn’t around yet) the list of packages he sent included “Venen Blinds.” We like to think drawing his blinds at the end of the day helped him unwind while he enjoyed a glass of wine from his famous collection.
 
As you can see, the window blinds in your home have a long and impressive history. If you’re inspired to update your window blinds in honor of King Tut, Confucius, Knight or Jefferson, visit Strickland’s Window Coverings today. Together, we’ll make window coverings history.

Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Fred has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for more than 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom built organization solutions. Our complete line of home organization solutions includes unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements, laundry rooms as well as Murphy Beds. To learn more, visit www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at
[email protected] or by calling 910.762.0944.