Here at Threadwell, we live and breathe window treatments. We could talk for hours about materials, hardware, motorization options, and a dozen other aspects of this industry. However, it’s unlikely we know as much about the origins of window treatments.
Let’s go way back to 3100 B.C. — Ancient Egypt. Among this society’s many inventions, drapes were created using the hides of animals and later from woven plant materials, such as reeds and papyrus. Much like drapes used today, these were employed for privacy and temperature control.
As the centuries passed, other civilizations continued to use drapery while improving on the materials used to craft them, such as linen and silk. Once the Middle Ages came around, draperies were still used for their practical purposes, but now they also accentuated the grandeur of castles and palaces with ornate designs.
These ornate tapestries were used in the homes of the wealthy during the Renaissance and beyond. It wasn’t until the middle of the eighteenth century, with the invention of machines like the Spinning Jenny, that window treatments became more readily available for more of the population. This time period also marked the invention and widespread use of another key player in window treatments, roller shades.
These were continually improved, bringing us to today, with the window treatments we know: custom prints, a wide variety of materials, and about a dozen other customization options. Although this was a highly condensed retelling of the history, one thing is clear—window treatments are here to stay.
The Spinning Jenny, invented by James Hargreaves, helped produce the yarn that could eventually be woven into fabrics used for curtains and drapes. By making thread production faster and cheaper, it contributed to more affordable textiles overall.
The modern roller shade was patented in 1864 by Stewart Hartshorn, an American inventor. His key innovation was creating a spring mechanism that allowed the shade to roll up automatically and stay in place at any height.
In the early 19th century, shades were painted with romantic and imaginative landscapes. In the latter half of the century, landscapes were replaced with stenciled borders that often had a center medallion of floral or scenic imagery.
A beautiful example of a late-19th century shade used on spring rollers. It was printed on continuous rolls of heavy paper (applied to both sides making it very opaque) similar to the manufacturing of wallpaper, with a printed black line and pattern number denoting where the individual shade was to be cut.
20th century – Modernism pushed toward cleaner lines: mini blinds (aluminum, 1930s–40s), vertical blinds (commercial use, mid-century), and simpler drapery panels. Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) changed what was possible for durability and light control. Postwar suburban homes popularized functional, easy-care treatments.
Late 20th century to today – Motorization and "smart" window treatments emerged, along with increased focus on solar performance, UV protection, and sustainable/solution-dyed fabrics — the technical side that's especially relevant to hospitality and contract markets today.
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