The History of Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds were created around the late 1700s. Despite their name, they have roots in Japan and China and are thought to have originated in Persia. They were then imported by merchants to Venice, hence the name “Venetian blinds.” Some sources also cite Paris as an early import site and the shades are still called les persiennes in French today. The Industrial Revolution ushered in a higher standard of living for middle class citizens of England and much of Europe, putting home accessories like blinds within reach for more people and creating a larger market for such goods. Around this time, English physicist Edward Bevan patented a rope-and-pulley device for raising and lowering Venetian blinds easily. In 1841, John Hampson modified Bevan’s design so that the angle of the blades could also be adjusted. We still use a very similar version of Venetian blinds today, although modern innovations have allowed for further improvements such as cordless raising and lowering. Today, Venetian blinds remain popular all over the world.