Fashion Cork UK. - Why Cork.

History of Cork:

Throughout history, there are many references to this product and its varied applications. In 3000 BC, the cork was already used in China, Egypt, Babylon and Persia to the manufacture of fishing tackle. In Italy have found vestiges dating from the fourth century BC, several artefacts such as floats, stoppers for casks, women's shoes and roofs of houses. It is also this time that we have one of the first references to the cork and written by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus, in their botanical treatises, referred in wonder, "the faculty that this tree has to renew its bark after it is removed."

Wine and cork are two products that have long been companions. Proof of this is an amphora dating from the first century BC found in Ephesus: not only was sealed with a cork stopper but still contained wine. Later, in the first century, the Roman naturalist Pliny makes a new and extensive reference to cork in his celebrated Natural History. Explains that in Greece it was worshiped as a symbol of freedom and honor, why only priests could cut. In the same work it is stated that the cork used to be consecrated to God Olympian Jupiter, and its leaves and branches were used to crown victorious athletes. In Pompeii, the Roman city destroyed by the brutal eruption of Vesuvius, were found wine amphorae sealed with cork.

In the eighteenth century, while in England the physicist Robert Hooke obtained the first microscopic image of cork using a microscope that he developed in France, the French Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon, treasurer of the Abbey of Hautvillers, we initiated the use of cork which forbade bottles of its famous champagne Dom Pérignon. A choice that continued over time and that still remains today.

Why Cork:

CORK IS: Recyclable, Waterproof, Washable, and Non-toxic; Lightweight, Flexible, Insulation.

The first cork extraction happens usually when the tree cover age between 25 to 30 years during the summer months from June to August. To make the extraction of cork is necessary to respect some rules, as its largest number of extraction times, higher quality cork has, i.e. the cork harvested first, is named for the virgin, the second generation is extracted named secundeira extractions and the following gives up her name amadia, the latter being of higher quality, and logically the most valued one that can be used to make corks. From this stage, the cork has its extraction in nine years. By the proven qualities of cork, it is used in the present day in various applications that include floor coverings, the insulation (thermal and acoustic), in the manufacture of musical instruments in home furnishings, and footwear in the industry various sectors, from automobiles, beverages, construction, masonry, decoration, clothing, bags and sacks, gifts, rain-hat, caps, among others. Portugal holds more than 50% of the world's cork, having as its production partners Spain, France, Italy and lately Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.