History of Masonry - AZ Masonry Council

	Brick is man’s oldest manufactured product. Local clay was formed by hand. Straw and grass were added to prevent cracking. Mud was used as “mortar” between bricks to add stability.
7000 BC	In southern Turkey at the site of Jericho.
4700 BC	Tumulus of Bougon, France
4000 BC	Manufacturers started producing bricks in uniform sizes and shapes. Firing the bricks replaced sun-baking.
	Barnenez, France
2600 BC	Egyptians used masonry to build some of the most impressive structures ever created – the Pyramids. Workmen used copper chisels, drills, and saws to cut large blocks of limestone
509 - 27 BC	The Romans made bricks in the spring and stored them for 2 years before using them in their extensive building projects. Each brick was stamped with the mark of the legion that supervised the brick making.
11th & 12th Centuries	From Italy and the Byzantine Empire, brick making spread to France and Europe.
15th & 16th Centuries	Medieval craftsmen used stone to build castles, bridges, cathedrals and common homes. Stone allowed more height and heavier superstructures.
1368 - 1644	Construction of the Great Wall of China during the Ming Dynasty
1500	Machu Picchu, Peru
1632	Construction of the Taj Mahal
18th Century	The Industrial Revolution brought machines which made it easier to manufacture and transport. Mathematics allowed builders to create more elaborate structures with strength and durability.
	As construction became more elaborate and higher, concrete block was added to create cavity walls. CMUs weigh less than brick and require less man-hours.
1850	Concrete block with air cells were invented.
19th Century	While skyscrapers depend on metal frames, the development of concrete block added strength and elegance to the construction.
	During the US building boom more than 10 billion bricks were produced annually. Many cities like Boston favored locally make brick.
	In England, red bricks were chosen because they made buildings more visible in the fog!
21st Century	In the US, standard brick size is 2-1/2 x 3-3/4 x 8 inches. Brick is made of shale and clay. Firing is done in kilns which reach 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
	Concrete block production is largely automated. Raw materials are loaded into bins. The mix is fed into block machines. It takes an average of 6 seconds to make a block. The block are steam cured.