The History of Silver
Silver was discovered as early as 4,000 B.C.E., and was used for numerous medical conditions before antibiotics were introduced in the 1900s. Find out how silver was used throughout history in the sections below.
Hippocrates
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, taught
that silver controlled disease and had wound healing effects.
Hippocrates
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, taught
that silver controlled disease and had wound healing effects.
Hippocrates
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, taught that silver controlled disease and had wound healing effects.
Silver was discovered as early as 4,000 B.C.E., and was used for numerous medical conditions
Find out how silver was used throughout history in the sections below.
Ancient civilizations
Many ancient civilizations, including the likes of the Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Romans, used silver compounds as a food and water preservative.
Unknown to them at the time, the tiny disease-causing microbes didn't stand a chance.
Ancient civilizations
Many ancient civilizations, including the likes of the Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Romans, used silver compounds as a food and water preservative.
Unknown to them at the time, the tiny disease-causing microbes didn't stand a chance.
Ancient Empires
Besides Egyptians and Romans, the Macedonian and Persian Empires also frequently utilized silver vessels and plates.
The Chinese also implemented silver into their dentistry, restoring teeth using a silver paste.
1800s
During America’s Old West, people put their silver coins into their drinking water barrels as a shield against water-borne diseases.
In the Civil War, many doctors and nurses treated syphilis by using silver.
In the 1880s, nurses dropped silver nitrate in the eyes of newborn infants to help prevent post-delivery infections.
1900s
In the 1960s, NASA implemented a generator that dispensed silver ions into the drinking water of the Apollo to kill bacteria and possible infections.
In 2015, NASA finally approved the purification system and have included it in the International Space Station.
TODAY
Today, the most common use for silver is topical healing. Modern technology has also allowed for advancements such as Silver Essences' Activated Microsilver.
ANCIENT EMPIRES
Besides Egyptians and Romans, the Macedonian and Persian Empires also frequently utilized silver vessels and plates.
The Chinese also implemented silver into their dentistry, restoring teeth using a silver paste.
1800s
During America’s Old West, people put silver coins in their drinking water barrels to shield against water-borne diseases.
In the Civil War, many doctors and nurses treated syphilis by using silver.
In the 1880s, nurses dropped silver nitrate in the eyes of newborn infants to prevent post-delivery infections.
1900s
In the 1960s, NASA implemented a generator that dispensed silver ions into the drinking water of the Apollo to kill bacteria and possible infections.
In 2015, NASA finally approved the purification system and have included it in the International Space Station.
TODAY
Today, the most common use for silver is topical healing. Modern technology has also allowed for advancements such as Silver Essences' Activated Microsilver.