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Solar History Timeline: 7th Century B.C. to 1200s A.D.

This timeline lists the milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the 7th Century B.C. to around A.D. 1200.

7th Century B.C.

A magnifying glass is used to concentrate the sun's rays on a fuel and light a fire for light, warmth, and cooking.

3rd Century B.C.

Greeks and Romans use mirrors to light torches for religious purposes.

2nd Century B.C.

As early as 212 B.C., Greek scientist Archimedes makes use of the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and set fire to Rome's wooden ships, which were besieging Syracuse. (Although there is no proof that this actually happened, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat 50 meters away.)

A.D. 20

The Chinese report using mirrors to light torches for religious purposes.

1st to 4th Century

In the first to the fourth centuries, Roman bath houses are built with large, south-facing windows to let in the sun's warmth. For an example, see Zippori in the Roman Period from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

6th Century

Sunrooms on houses and public buildings are so common that the Justinian Code establishes "sun rights" to ensure that a building has access to the sun.

13th Century

In North America, the ancestors of Pueblo people known as Anasazi build south-facing cliff dwellings that capture the warmth of the winter sun.