Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds were patented by Edward Beran in London on 11 December 1769, but in reality Venetian blinds were invented by the Japanese long before then. The early history of the Venetian blind is conjectural. The early Venetians, who were great traders, are thought to have brought the idea of the blind from Persia to Venice. The Venetian slaves, once freed, are then thought to have brought the blind to France for personal comfort and as a means of livelihood. The French name for Venetian blinds is "Les Persienes." In 1761 St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia was fitted with Venetian blinds.

Venetian blinds have horizontal slats, one above another. They are suspended by strips of cloth called tapes, or by cords, by which all slats in unison can be rotated through nearly 180 degrees. The slats can be rotated such that they overlap with one side facing inward and then in the opposite direction such that they overlap with the other side facing inward. Venetian blinds are very versatile, apart form diffusing the light horizontally, it also aesthetically enhances any room. Venetian blinds are very practical for offices or rooms with glare problems.

Venetian blinds are manufactured with a variety of materials like aluminium, vinyl, wood or laminated (faux) wood, therefore catering for a wide variety of tastes and budgets.