The invention of the first brick or paver unit is attributed to ancient civilizations, particularly the Mesopotamians and the Egyptians.
The Mesopotamians, who lived in the region of modern-day Iraq and Syria around 4,000 BCE, were among the first to develop kiln-fired pavers. They used a mixture of clay and sand, which they shaped into rectangular blocks and dried in the sun or fired in kilns to harden them. These pavers were then used for various construction purposes, including the creation of paved surfaces.
The Egyptians, around the same time period, also developed their own version of pavers. They used a mixture of mud and straw, known as adobe, to create sun-dried pavers. These pavers were used extensively in the construction of buildings, including the creation of paved surfaces such as roads and courtyards.
It’s important to note that these early pavers were not interlocking pavers as we know them today. They were individual units used for paving, but they were not designed to interlock with one another. The concept of interlocking paving units came much later in history.
The evolution of interlocking paving units can be traced to the Romans, who developed a system of interlocking stones known as “opus incertum” and “opus sectile.” These techniques involved arranging irregularly shaped stones in patterns to create stable and durable paved surfaces.
Since then, the development and refinement of interlocking paving units continued over the centuries, with advancements in technology and the use of different materials such as concrete and clay. This eventually led to the modern-day pavers used for creating durable and aesthetically pleasing paved surfaces.