Jet Power and the Birth of the Jet Aviation Age

The invention of jet propulsion was ideal for fighter aircraft. Although at first it reduced range and endurance and often increased the take-off run. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor twin jets saw action in 1944, together with the tailless Me 163 rocket interceptor which sacrificed range and endurance for astounding climb and speed in defending local areas against heavy bombers.

Germany was far in front of other countries in another factor too: armament. A range of 30 mm (1 inch) cannon, radically new high-speed cannon with multiple-revolver chambers, very large recoilless guns, spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets fired in salvoes, and wire-guided air-to-air missiles were all under test before the Luftwaffe s defeat. They gradually inspired similar developments in other countries: one German gun, the Mauser MG 213, led to the American Pontiac M-39, the French DEFA, the Russian NR-30, the Swiss Oerlikon KCA, and the British Aden, all of which are still in use.

Many early jet fighters were fitted into more or less conventional airframes. The fighter often considered the ultimate achievement of the piston era, the long-range North American P-51 Mustang appeared both in a twinned double-fuselage form and, with few changes, as a US Navy jet.

But the US Air Force decided to wait a year until its makers could sweep back the wings and tail at 35 degrees, which German research had shown could lead to higher speed. The result was the F-86 Sabre, which in 1948 set a speed record at 1,080 km/h (671 mph) and outflew all other fighters. Later versions carried radar and rockets and reached 1,150 km/h (715 mph).

During the Korean War (1950-3) the F-86 met a previously unknown machine built in the Soviet Union, the somewhat lighter and simpler MiG-15, and although the MiG could climb higher and had heavy cannon, the Sabre’s skilled pilots and better equipment gave it the edge in combat.

North American’s next fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, which exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. The MiG bureau built the twin jet MiG-19, which was even faster, and is still in wide use. The US Air Force ordered various all-weather interceptors with largely automatic radar and flight control systems so that, with guided missiles, they could intercept and destroy enemy aircraft without the pilot ever seeing them.

The British ordered a jet-fighter flying-boat, but discovered that this way of doing business without airfields yielded an inferior fighter. The Americans suffered similar problems with a ‘hydroski’ fighter, which could dive faster than sound, but took off and landed on retractable water skis.

Two even stranger fighters were designed around powerful turboprop engines and, standing on their tails, screwed themselves vertically into the air (they were intended to operate from the confined decks of warships or merchant vessels). Britain built high-altitude supersonic fighters with ‘mixed power’ from a turbojet and a rocket. In 1957 the British Minister of Defence suggested there would soon be no more manned fighters at all, only missiles. The Americans stuck to fighters, but made them very large and armed them with missiles, but no gun.

Today the wheel has turned full circle. In the past 10 to 20 years there has been a powerful wish to get back to the ‘eyeball-to-eyeball’ type of confrontation of the man in the Sopwith Camel. The pre-eminent Western fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, was rebuilt with an internal gun, a rapid-fire 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon with six barrels firing up to 6,000 rds/ min, and a slatted wing to pull tighter turns in combat.

New small fighters appeared, such as the General Dynamics F-16, which, although bigger and heavier than any single-engined fighters of World War II, are nevertheless small and light by comparison with such impressive machines as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and MiG-25 Foxbat, The RAF’s next interceptor, the ADV (Air-Defence Version) of the Panavia Tornado, is a careful midway compromise, smaller than the three monsters just listed, but with two engines, long range, powerful radar, and extremely effective Skyflash missiles.

Modern interceptors defend vast blocks of airspace up to 160 km (100 miles) in radius, with powerful radar able to look down at the surrounding land and water and spot low-flying intruders trying to slip through the defences unnoticed. Their task is eased by the presence of special surveillance, early-warning, and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, with enormous radars and sophisticated command and control systems to manage all a nation’s defences in the most efficient way.

There is no better feeling than being in the cockpit during your jet fighter flight. Jet fighter flights and jet fighter joy flights are the ultimate gift giving and receiving experience that will be remembered forever. Your jet fighter pilot experience is available in Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. Visit flyingwarbirds.com.au for more details. For mini bus hire Brisbane, contact Group 1 Minibus.

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Intense Pulsed Light Photorejuvenation

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or photorejuvenation therapy is a light based technology which treats several skin conditions in one treatment.

It works in the deeper layers of the skin where traditional skincare cannot reach, thus achieving a far superior result in a shorter time frame.

Skin concerns such as pigmentation, freckling, sun damage, capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea may be treated with photorejuvenation.

Pulses of light are applied to the skin either in single zone or more commonly over the whole area to provide a uniform result.

The treatments remove most types of sun induced pigmentation like freckling, age spots and sun damage. By lessening the darker pigmentation IPL leaves the skin with a more even tone.

Vascular skin concerns including capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea are also targeted by the broad wavelengths of light.

As most people will have several skin concerns, this treatment has become popular as it can address them all. The IPL photorejuvenation also stimulates the production of collagen which will plump and smooth the texture of the skin, improving fine lines, wrinkles and pitted scarring.

The most common treatment areas are face, neck, décolletage/chest area and backs of hands.

There is little or no downtime involved with photorejuvenation. Most people will experience some redness and heat in the area which subsides in several hours after treatment.

The darker areas of pigment may form tiny ‘pigment crusts’ which lift off in a few days revealing the result underneath. As the skin is not broken or damaged it is fine to wear make-up, though exfoliation via mechanical scrubs and AHA/glycolics is to be avoided for a week after the IPL treatment.

IPL Photorejuvenation treatments can be utilised as a once off treatment, however a course of treatments will promote the best results.

A progressive result can be expected with a change usually noticed within a week after a session. It is of utmost importance to wear sunscreen in between and after treatments as most of the damage on skin is caused by UV exposure and to prolong the result from the IPL photorejuvenation this is essential.

For more information about IPL Brisbane or IPL photorejuvenation Brisbane, contact Image by Laser.

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Will Someone Please Get that Phone ?

Your phone has been ringing all morning. You’re trying to get a report out and people have been constantly walking in and out of your office, it’s like a railway station! You’re exhausted - and it’s only 11.00am!

Spare a thought for your receptionist. This is what most receptionists face day in, day out.

The role of the receptionist was once as simple as answering phones and looking after personal visitors. Now the definition of a receptionist is more accurately stated as someone who answers the phone, greets people in person, does 25 things at once, and is continually interrupted.

At any one time a receptionist might be on the phone, holding two calls, tending to a personal client and calling a cab, all while putting together the minutes from yesterday’s staff meeting.

The role of the receptionist is sometimes looked upon as a lowly position, by the public, co-workers, management and receptionists themselves. The attitude is - “It’s just reception, how complicated can it be?”

A survey conducted by Reception Plus found that 63% of receptionists do not feel valued or appreciated. They feel isolated and their efforts unappreciated in many cases.

How can you ensure that anyone calling or coming in to reception will feel comfortable and likely to conduct business with you? The answer is motivation, encouragement and appreciation of the person at your front desk.

Your marketing and sales personnel promote the advantages of using your services. If people making contact feel they’re treated poorly or even rudely, they may choose to seek out your competitors rather than repeat a disappointing experience. I know I would.

The majority of receptionists are proactive, efficient and welcoming. They care about their clients and it is obvious; they make people feel welcome and relaxed; they’re helpful, but not condescending; in control, but not over-bearing; friendly but not unprofessional.

If your receptionist is like this, let him or her know that you appreciate their approach and contribution to the smooth running of the organisation.

It may be by simply remembering to acknowledge them as you enter the office, returning their smile, using your manners, asking their opinion, even making them a coffee.

On the other hand, your receptionist may be showing signs of being a little challenged, finding it difficult to know how to respond to various people and situations, and to manage several things at once. Don’t leave them to struggle. Seek out options for training and encouragement.

Reception is very similar to customer service. The requirements are the same: a positive attitude, confidence, assertiveness, good communication, people and telephone skills, politeness, efficiency, willingness to help, ability to handle multiple tasks, and a sound knowledge of the company procedures and services. These attributes can all be learned by a willing participant.

Looking for a receptionist course? Receptionist training is one of the best investments you can make for your business. Reception Plus runs professional receptionist seminars throughout Australia. Check their website for locations and dates.

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Rule One of Business: Get Paid

To get paid, as you would figure is vitally the point in your business because if you aren’t being paid, why are you in business?

You may be shocked at the loads of business people who only have their customer base to simply pay when and if they get on with it. I know a business owner who habitually gets bad debts like weeds. For what reason? Most likely because he won’t bring himself to request the cash and people can just take advantage of him.

If you permit somebody credit, only do so after they proved their worth to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for a while. Also, you need to find whether they have the money to pay you - if not then you should not do business with them. Don’t kid yourself into the pattern of “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s damaging in doing the job or providing the goods for zero if you aren’t getting paid.

If you are the sort of person who can’t request the money when the service has been done, try these hints:
Tell your client that when the service is completed, you require cash or cheque. They will more than likely have it on them at the point of sale and you will not need to request your money.

When you send the initial quote, make sure your payment terms are understandable.

Create an invoice that has your terms of payment evidently stated and give the client the invoice when the task is completed. They can look at the invoice and simply understand they need to pay you the money now without you going to say a thing. Invent a “vicious boss” who would torture you alive if you don’t go back with the payment for the job.

Ask your banking to provide you with Merchant facilities so you can have credit cards including Mastercard and Visa. The majority of people use credit cards and it could stop the issue of the client not owning a cheque book or not having the cash in their pocket.

As another option, don’t be afraid to hold onto the promised goods til after you’ve been paid. Don’t forget, until they’re paid for, they still remain yours.

If you decide to give somebody credit, be sure you have the following contact information off them at a point BEFORE you permit them credit.

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Bank name and address
  • Account no.
  • 3 trade references with their names, addresses and phone numbers

Once you know all this information, telephone the banking institution and make for sure that they use an account with them. Then, phone each of the trade reference and request if they pay their fees punctually or if they have any difficulties with them.

Most people will be willing to tell you if the person is troublesome. If everything is OK, allow them a moderate level of debt, say no more than $500 (depending on your business). Monitor the operation of the account for a few months before allowing this amount to be exceeded.

If you’re looking for a Brisbane web design company or Brisbane SEO company, talk to Search Tempo. Check out their SEO prices today.

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Planning Your Ad Campaigns and Promotions

If you run one bad ad, meaning, nobody responds, the world does not come to an end. But if you plan poorly, or not at all, you have cause to worry about your business coming to a halt.

Once you’ve worked out where you should advertise, analysed your target audience, and picked the media you’ll use, the planning of what you’ll say and when you’ll say it is essential to your success. You’ve got to plan with your goals in mind as well as your budget, your competition, your plans for the future, and the realities of the moment.

Might your short or long-range planning include promotions with other companies? Smart marketers are constantly on the lookout for fusion advertising opportunities, chances to tie in with other companies so that the advertising gets more exposure but at a lower price, since the cost is shared with others.

If three local stores, all compatible, such as a drapery store, a carpet showroom, and a wallpaper shop, combine to run a full-page ad in a regional edition of a national magazine, they all gain the credibility of the ad, but the cost will be only 33 percent of what it normally would be. That’s one of the benefits of fusion advertising, and that’s why you should consider the concept before planning your campaign. Just be sure that you never lose your own identity in fusion ventures.

Plan your advertising campaign with an eye toward what you’ll do in case you are copied. If you come up with a dynamite plan and it is highly successful, you can count on being copied. So be certain that your name, your look, your logo, the whole works, are synonymous with your name and identity. You may be copied, but your consumers won’t confuse you with the others. Be certain that your plan takes into consideration five important variables:

1. Advertising
2. Promotions
3. Other marketing weapons like promotional products
4. Coordination
5. Timing

Think of these as a basketball team with five players. No matter how good it is, if it lost only one player and had to play with a four-player team, it would lose most of its games to complete teams that excel at teamwork. A good plan includes all the players and is the essence of teamwork. Alone, each of these players just can’t do the job. They need each other. Every smart marketing professional plays with his or her full team.

The smart marketer knows that an advertising campaign must have continuity to do the persuading job well. In advertising, intermittent communication is no communication at all. Your plan must have consistency built right into it. The idea is not to flirt with your public but to convince them. There is a huge difference between the two. Any true advertising expert will tell you that frequency and persistence are the secrets of success in marketing. A major commitment to one or a few of the media will work better in most cases than an across-the-board plan with a variety of media but a short insertion schedule.

You should plan your campaign so that you are consistent, but never boring, committed, but never predictable. You’ve got to build special promotions into your plan to keep your staff on their feet and your competitors off balance. The only part of the plan engraved in stone is your identity. Flexibility and an ability to make alterations in your advertising is crucial.

Promotional products like printed carrier bags, promotional balloons and promotional badges are a great marketing investment. They can be used to thank existing customers, generate curiousity in prospects and keep your brand top of mind. Need ideas? Visit hotline.co.uk today and browse our fabulous range of promotional products and corporate give-aways.

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What is a Cockroach?

The word cockroach is a corruption of the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is recognized by a flattened oval body, long stringlike antennae, and a gloss black or brown leathery integument. The head is directed downward, and the mouthparts are directed backward instead of forward or downward as is the case in many other insects. The male generally has two pairs of wings, unlike the female, who in some species, is wingless or holds vestigial wings. The female generates eggs in egg cases (called oothecae). These are at times held coming out from her body or could be held in protected areas. After the female produces an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton toughens, it turns brown in colour. The shape and large size (certain species possess a wingspan measurement of over 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have turned them into objects of study in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach takes a warm, humid, dark habitat and is usually located in tropical or other mild temperatures. Just a few species have become pests. The insect inflicts damage on more material than it digests and has a disgusting odour. The nutrition of the roach, which can be both plant and animal produce, ranges from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, including bedbugs. Insecticides could be preferred in roach termination.

The American cockroach (species Periplaneta americana) is 30 to 50 mm long (up to about 2 inches), reddish brown, and inhabits out of doors or in dark, heated indoor spaces (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). During its adult life, usually about 1.5 years, the female drops 50 or more oothecae, each containing about 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life lasts from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, originally from tropical and subtropical America, possesses well-developed wings. However, most species are usually not great flyers.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common pest in houses and occasionally incorrectly called a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic area. The female deposits the ootheca three days post mating and carries it for around 20 days. Because it is small in size (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach generally is introduced into residences in grocery bags and boxes; it has gone from nation to nation by boat. Three or more generations can breed yearly. This cockroach, abundant in the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, is now labeled the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) closely resembles the German cockroach but is slightly smaller. The male has wholly developed wings and is lighter in hue than the female, whose wings are stunted and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands over the back. The adult life span is roughly 200 days, and there may be two generations in a year. Eggs are be deposited in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the introduction of heated buildings this cockroach became more common in cooler locations.

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is thought of as one of the most disgusting of household pests. It is oval, shiny black or dark brown, 25 to 30 mm (1 to 1.2 inches) long, with a life cycle resembling that of the American cockroach. The male possesses short, fully developed wings, and the female has vestigial wings. This cockroach has been carried in vehicles of trade from its Asiatic origins to all the temperate regions.

Wood roaches are not domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, lives under logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so unlike in appearance that they were once seen as separate species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that go past the abdomen; the female is smaller and possesses much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus eats wood with the aid of select protozoans in its digestive tract.

Got a cockroach or pest problem? If you’re looking for pest control Brisbane or a pest exterminator Brisbane, contact Brislander today.

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About the Gold Coast

Modern, magical and a major hotspot, the Gold Coast is Australia’s best beach getaway destination. At least 10 million holidaymakers flock to the beaches during each year, lured in under the vision of laidback, luxurious days and fantastic, fun-filled nights.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the Gold Coast proffers a myriad of activities to see, people to meet and things to do. It isn’t but another destination – it’s a lifestyle.

Why go to the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round sun and warm atmosphere with above 57 joyous kilometres of coastline aren’t enough to get you grabbing your suitcase right now, check out the wide variety of food and drink options, world class resorts and hotels and ever-expanding list of activities to do on the Gold Coast provide even more inspiration. Are we there yet?

The top restaurants and cafes
With over 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining scene is solid proof that eating certainly is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Some of the world’s best chefs call the Gold Coast home and you can take your choice of alfresco seafood restaurants with multi-million dollar views and chic, cosmopolitan modern rush eateries. Or decide on leisurely, perfectly Gold Coast cafes that prove simple things – exceptional service, lovely food and remarkable atmosphere – surely are the best.

Exciting things to do
The expansive, exciting and eclectic landscape – a combination of lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; wide beaches, great blue ocean waters and the sunny Surfers Paradise skyline - that becomes the Gold Coast is a perfect ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do might include surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not see the unbelievable scenery by helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything could be possible on the Gold Coast.

A wide variety of hotels and accommodation
When it’s time to lay down your weary head, you can rest assured you’re not dreaming - your new home away from home exists. The variety of Gold Coast hotels on the market have deals to house all kinds of travelers, whether you pick five-star waterfront glamour, a unique boutique retreat or a luxurious resort set on the ideallic grounds of a golf course.

International shopping scene
Granting a reputed shopping circuit that grants your take of large shopping centres, sensational open-air piazzas plus funfilled shopping strips by the sand, you’ve got a tonne of reasons to bring on the plastic and come out laden with shopping bags! From the top brand fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to unique homewares shops, whatever you want, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.

World-class day spas and retreats
Of course a time away on the Gold Coast is going and splurging in that top priority ‘me-time’ and there just is no other way to totally let it all go than booking yourself in for a relaxing pamper at one of the glorious Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a therapeutic massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package featuring a nutritious and delicious meal, the Gold Coast personal health scene holds an experience for all wishes.

Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the endless highlights of the Gold Coast lies in the regular stream of big international events and individual community events that take to the stage. For any given day on the Gold Coast, you might be drawn in by open-air concerts, international sporting events and professional surfing tournaments plus music, art, food and film festivals alike. No event is forgotten on the Gold Coast, providing you with even more incentive to extend your stay!

Thinking about holidaying on the Gold Coast? If so, visit the Gold Coast Guide for a review of Gold Coast attractions including things to do, things to see and tips on how to find a great restaurant; Gold Coast restaurants offers some of the best food in Australia.

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Time Management When Working from Home

When you are starting a from-home business, time management is an area of business management that is usually overlooked or neglected.

Everybody knows some person in small business who races at it like a chicken with its head cut off all day, without enough hours in the day, all they do is push and get worked up - perhaps this person is you! To the week’s end, when the dust settles, what have you done? Do you replay the day and ponder “what happened to the time, I didn’t get as much completed as I planned I should. If this is familiar, then you might just have an organisational and time management problem.

Successful people don’t seem to rush, they seem composed and unflustered. The difference from them and the others is they have mastered time management.

What is time management? It is simply arranging hours in your day in an organised and efficient way. Before we can fully go ahead on how to time manage our day, we first must decide for ourselves what we are trying to accomplish today, this week, this year and possibly ten years from now. This is “Goal setting”.

The easiest way in my preference to accomplish goals is to write them down. You might review all your goals at points to ensure that they are meaningful and workable but not so easy that you don’t need to put in the hard work to achieve them otherwise what is the reason of the goals in the first place?

From the beginning of each working year you should pause and think about what you wish to take away from this year. It may be that you hope to enlarge your profits by 20%, you may hope to move into different premises, you could plan to take down your debt substantially. At the beginning of each working week you could write down on a note pad or in your diary the major chores that must to be achieved this week, and look back on them on every day to make sure you’re making progress and hopefully polish some of those chores from the list.

You may have this list on your desk or on a place where you will be constantly reminded of what has to be finalised this week. Your list should be in order of priority so that the key tasks at the top of your list get completed first. Any work not ticked off this week must be carried forward next week on a higher ranking, this should ensure it gets finished.

The next thing you will be doing is giving yourself a daily list of projects to take care of. This should help keep you organised during each day. Again, this list could be put up where you can continually look back to it and wipe off the jobs finished. Checking off the tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and remind you how you are progressing throughout the day. Always stick to this list when possible and try to keep working from the highest priority to lower priority. I know problems sometimes turn up during the day that might throw the whole day in the air, but you have to either deal with the crisis and then return to your list or if the new issue isn’t as time sensitive as some of the jobs on the list then target it at the bottom on your list and continue with the project you were doing.

Every aspect of work you hope to achieve should be written down for a few reasons. Firstly, so you don’t forget to do it and secondly, so you keep your day scheduled and you accomplish your daily goals. Be sensitive to initiating jobs and not completing them. This might show up tomorrow in a disaster of incomplete chores and could cause “list blowout”.

You will end up with your list a mile long and you will throw it up in despair and go back to bad habits of running around in rush each day and accomplishing nothing.

Remember for every day you achieve your goals and check off all the items on your list, you will get a little closer to completing your weekly and ultimately your yearly and long term goals.

A few hints on Time Management:

  • Do it once and do it well, it’s frustrating reverting to the issue and having to redo it.
  • Learn to politely say to people when you’re too busy and that you can get back to them some time later.
  • Learn to give other people work that really don’t need your participation.
  • Don’t go on wild goose chases.
  • Don’t waste time by phone calls that won’t achieve something.
  • Don’t procrastinate.
  • Look back on your list of tasks to do frequently through your day.
  • “Map out your day” in the shower and schedule out your daily list as soon as you get to work. Complete what you begin.
  • Prioritise all your jobs, always do issues in their order of priority to you and your customers.

Avoid time wasters, people who just decide to chat all day, and if they are employed by you, set them straight, or get rid of them.

 

For more information about self employment Brisbane, home business Brisbane, or work from home Brisbane, contact Lifestyle Switch. Make the switch to your own business today.

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The History of Baby and Children’s Jewelry

Jewelry for babies and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last decade, but children have worn jewellery for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of baby and children’s jewelry over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and timber were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for decoration as well as for superstitious purposes; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewelry item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewelry in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewelry has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewelry enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans worked mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewellery designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewelry today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents decorated the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with tiny silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore exquisite gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often replicated in today’s jewelry styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewellery and these include:

  • Artistic visual exhibition
  • Protection from evil spirits
  • Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
  • Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
  • As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewelry making reached the level of fine art in the 17th Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewellery items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewellery was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewelry, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewelry to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewelry, children’s jewellery, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.

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The History of Baby and Children’s Jewelry

Jewelry for babies and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery throughout history, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of infant and children’s jewellery over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and wood were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for fashion as well as for superstitious reasons; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewelry item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewelry to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewellery has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been found in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewellery enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans crafted mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewelry designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewellery today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents decorated the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with small silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore beautiful gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewelry styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewelry and these include:

  • Artistic visual exhibition
  • Protection from evil spirits
  • Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
  • Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
  • As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewellry making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewellery items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewellery was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewellery, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

 

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewellery to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewellry, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.

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