What was the first flat...

[threaded]

Yes, just had to check it out: the buildings on Gozo are the oldest structures known, the buildings have slate tiles, the slates would constitute the oldest manufactured flat surfaces. (Unless someone has an older example)

HTH

[Churchill]

Yes, just had to check it out: the buildings on Gozo are the oldest structures known, the buildings have slate tiles, the slates would constitute the oldest manufactured flat surfaces. (Unless someone has an older example)

HTH

Was the slate just split or did they process it in other ways? Grinding?

[BoredBloke]

"Lying in bed at 18:00 last night, drinking my third can of scrumpy jack, I had this thought"

My thought would have been along the lines of why am I in bed at 6 pm and why am I dinking this sh1t.

[Euro-commuter]

Yes, just had to check it out: the buildings on Gozo are the oldest structures known, the buildings have slate tiles, the slates would constitute the oldest manufactured flat surfaces. (Unless someone has an older example)

HTH

Is a slate manufactured?

[threaded]

Is a slate manufactured?

Is a diamond manufactured?

[Euro-commuter]

Is a diamond manufactured?

No. Its natural crystal structure is exposed, is all.

[realityhack]

No. Its natural crystal structure is exposed, is all.

And it's still not bloody flat either.

[threaded]

No. Its natural crystal structure is exposed, is all.

So, before we can determine a "manufactured flat surface" we need to define what "manufactured" means...

[Churchill]

So, before we can determine a "manufactured flat surface" we need to define what "manufactured" means...

Hence my earlier question regarding the operations performed on the slate...

[threaded]

Hence my earlier question regarding the operations performed on the slate...

So "splitting" and "grinding" one is a manufacturing process and the other isn't?