Venetian blinds are composed of many horizontal slats of wood, metal or plastic. These slats are attached together with thin strips of cloth called tapes or by cords. Having them attached this way allows the blinds to be open and shut together. Additionally, they can move almost 180 degrees in rotation allowing sunlight in partially or not at all.
You can lift venetian blinds up or lower them through the use of a pulley system on the side of the blinds. It's an ingenious way to change the mood of a room or leave you in darkness if you choose, such as when sleeping longer and avoiding morning sun in the room and also for security so that others cannot look into your home or space.
The first venetian blinds were patented by Mr. Edward Beran in 1769 but the French had already invented them long before Mr. Beran's patent. It is said that the Venetians brought the idea to Venice from Persia. In French, the name for Venetian blinds is "persiennes". Here in the US, Philadelphia is one of the first cities to use blinds in buildings and churches.
Some leading manufacturers of venetian blinds are:
* Levolor
* Hunter Douglas
* Design Blinds
* Helioscreen
* Vertilux
* Maxim
* Markilux
* EcoSystem
Their versatility coupled with the wide array of colors and materials make them an extremely popular window covering for homes, offices and anywhere else you can find a window. Venetian blinds are also available in many sizes from wide slats to our the ever popular mini-blinds.
