Bricks have been used as building materials for thousands of years. The oldest bricks date back to the year 7500 B.C. Ever since then, they have been used as building tools in various types of structures.
Bricks have always been preferred over stone because of their speed and value. This was because the materials needed for brick were relatively cheap compared to that of stone and other building products.
The most common way to make a brick is from clay. The modern clay bricks are formed using one of three processes; soft mud, dry press, and wire cut. In soft mud, the clay is mixed with sand and water, formed into shape, and then fired at 900-1000 degrees Celsius. Dry press is similar to soft mud, except that the clay mix is much thicker, so the bricks generally have sharper, more defined edges.
In wire cut, the clay is pushed through a die that forms the clay into long cables of brick. The cables are then cut into the appropriate size for the brick. This is how the more familiar kinds of bricks are made. The color of the brick is determined by what kind of materials of present in the mixture when it is fired.
Bricks have been used for various uses. They were originally used to pave streets in many large towns and cities. More frequently, the bricks are used for the familiar role as home decorations. While the foundations and supports for houses have turned to more reliable wood and concrete, bricks are still used for their aesthetic appeal around the outside of many modern homes. By alternating the pattern of the bricks, the bricks gain strength as well as improve appearance.
