History of Copper

The word copper comes from the Latin word cuprum, which in turn comes from Cyprium (in English Cyprus) place from which the Romans and the Greeks obtained their copper supplies.
Copper is a metallic element that over millions of years was pushed to the surface by geological rocesses, originating varied deposits of this mineral throughout the planet.
The use of copper dates back to the earliest civilizations, when about 10,000 years ago, mankind slowly began to use this metal to manufacture tools and utensils, setting aside the use of stone as the main material (event that gave rise to a period of pre-history known as “The Copper Age”).
The earliest known copper object is an earring found in Northern Iraq, which was made in the year 8,700 B.C.
Over the years, copper was mixed with tin giving rise to Bronze, a metal whose importance gave rise to the Bronze Age. The expansion in the use of this metal began mainly with the Egyptians, who were followed by the Greeks and the Romans.
The latter began to make large scale use of the material, with supplies coming mainly from the island of Cyprus (from where the metal’s name originates).

Due to its ductility and resistance to corrosion, copper and its alloys continued to be used in various utensils throughout the middle ages and the centuries that followed; but it was in 1831 when there was a twist in the history of this metal because as a result of his experiments, Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction and the  magnificent electrical conductivity properties of copper.

At present, due to the numerous properties of copper, such as: excellent conductivity, maintains its properties in recycling and a good ductility, it is essential to our lives. Today, this noble metal contributes, among other benefits, the fact that we have efficient energy and telecommunications transmissions, the development of information technologies, an excellent urban beautification material in buildings and an efficient bactericide in piping systems, properties that will undoubtedly consolidate and promoted the use of this metal in the future.