Applications of Silver metal from the past to the present

Silver is one of the most versatile metals on Earth, with a unique combination of uses as a precious metal and an industrial metal.

Today, the use of silver spans many modern technologies, including solar panels, electric vehicles and 5G equipment, etc. Besides, the use of silver in currency, medicine, art and Jewelry has helped develop civilization, commerce, and technology for thousands of years.

3,000 years BC - The Middle Ages

Silver began to be known and used as early as 3,000 BC in present-day Turkey, where its mining fueled trade in the ancient Aegean Sea and Mediterranean. Merchants would use coarsely cut pieces of silver as a medium of exchange for goods and services.

Around 1200 BC, the ancient Greeks began refining and minting silver coins from the mines just outside Athens. By 100 BC, present-day Spain had become the silver mining center of the Roman Empire. In the late 1400s, Spain brought applications of silver to the New World, with large silver deposits being discovered in the hills of Bolivia.

In addition to the commercial uses of silver, silver's antibacterial properties are recognized. For example, wine and food trays are often made of silver to increase shelf life. Also, during plague outbreaks in medieval and renaissance Europe, people ate and drank with silverware to protect themselves from disease.

The years 1800 - 2000

The use of silver in medicine was discovered in the 19th and 20th centuries. Surgeons suture after surgery with silver stitches to reduce inflammation. In the early 1900s, doctors prescribed silver nitrate eye drops to prevent conjunctivitis in infants. In the 1960s, NASA developed a water purifier that dispensed silver ions to kill bacteria and purify the water on its spacecraft.

The Industrial Revolution spurred the beginnings of industrial applications of silver. Thanks to its high light sensitivity and reflectivity, it has become a staple in films, windows and mirrors. Even today, the windows of skyscrapers are often coated with silver to reflect sunlight and keep the interior cool.

2000s - Present

The use of silver has come a long way. Silver is one of the best conductive metals, making it an indispensable choice for electronic devices. Almost every electronic device contains silver, from smartphones to electric cars. Solar panels also use silver as a conductive layer in the photovoltaic cell to efficiently transport and store electricity. In addition, it has a number of medical applications from treating burn wounds and ulcers to eliminating bacteria in air conditioning systems and clothing.

Applications of silver in the future

Silver has always been an indispensable material of industries and technology due to its unique properties, from antibacterial properties to high electrical conductivity. Today, silver plays an important role in renewable energy technology. With each era, silver proves its value more and more.