Circa 1200 BC to the 18th Century
Enameling is steeped in history that begins around 3000 years ago in many parts of the world, including Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, China and Ancient Egypt. It’s first known uses were to create beautiful patterned jewelry. Enameling a variety of objects became more and more elaborate over time, including techniques that are household names to this day.
19th and 20th Centuries
In the early 1800s amid the Industrial Revolution, more practical applications were discovered – namely, enameling pots and pans to create a nonstick surface ideal for baking and cooking. Basic kitchen items such as biscuit cutters, baking tins, and ladles were stamped from thin sheets of iron, steel, or aluminum, then coated with enamel which was fused to the metal in a very hot oven.
Present Day
Enamelware came in blue, red, purple, brown, green, and pink, plus gray and white. Patterns were as varied as the colors. Enamelware is lightweight compared to your average kitchenware, cleans easily and is less fragile , all of which added to its popularity.
Technology has evolved, but the enamelware you will find thta are largely made by the same methods as a century ago.