Bookends

Fun Facts About Bookshelves

• The earliest forms of shelving are found in ancient Mesopotamia. They were essentially wall niches where administrative, literary and scientific texts written on clay tablets were stored.
• In medieval libraries, books were so valuable they were chained to shelves to prevent theft. The chains were long enough for readers to bring the books to a nearby desk, but no longer.
  
• The term "bookcase" is relatively new. It only became common in the English language during the 18th century, with the earliest known recorded usage appearing in the late-17th century.
• The iconic Billy bookcase by IKEA is one of the best-selling furniture pieces in history, with over 160 million units sold worldwide. It's estimated 1 in 100 people own one.
• Sliding bookcases that conceal secret rooms, safes, or passageways, are not just found in the movies. Historically they were used in castles and Prohibition-era speakeasies. Today, they are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes to create private spaces and secure storage.
• The tallest outdoor bookshelf in the world is the 11-story (about 108 feet) facade built into the side of a German residential building. The world's tallest wooden bookshelf indoors is found in a Chinese library. It is 32 feet high and has integrated corridors.
  
• Thanks to the density of paper, even small bookshelves set against the wall of a room will reduce noise and improve insulation.
• Tragically, one child dies every two weeks in the U.S. from furniture tip-over accidents, including bookcases. Experts strongly recommend anchoring bookcases to the wall and placing heavier items on the bottom shelves.