Slate Chalkboards

From the Neanderthals to the modern man, the need to write and draw has been a near necessity. Man has used several different surfaces and objects to depict his feelings, thoughts and creativity. From the stone cave walls during the Stone Age to the current day palmtop computers, each one of them has held their own significance. However, few have had a lasting impact like the slate chalkboard.



These simple instruments revolutionized the education process ever since they were invented. Slate chalkboards were developed in the 1800s and soon evolved as the most common and widespread medium of spreading education. The main component of the chalkboard is slate, which is a homogenous, metamorphic rock that is derived from a sedimentary rock, composed of volcanic ash and clay.



In the first stage of slate chalkboard evolution, shards of slate were used to engrave on a board that was held within a wooden frame. Later, after chalk was discovered, it replaced the slate shards completely. Slate chalkboards in classrooms helped teachers appeal to the entire classroom at a time, instead of writing individual assignments. Moreover, the chalkboard proved an affordable option for many as paper and pencils were very expensive at that time. In due course of time, colored chalks were developed, which made presentation on the slate chalkboards more attractive. Soon chalkboards became popular not only in schools and colleges, but also in various organizations, where they were used to conduct meetings.



Recently, some people have replaced the slate blackboard with the whiteboard, which is considered a cleaner option. However, the slate blackboard still holds some advantages over its white ?cousin?. The slate board is cheaper than the whiteboard and some say that the slickness of the whiteboard causes problems for young writers.



With all their pros and cons, it cannot be denied that slate chalkboards have played an invaluable role in promoting education around the world.





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