History of Cork

Have you ever seen those little round things on a bulletin board that you can stick a pin into? That's called cork! Now, cork has been around for a really, really long time – even longer than your grandparents or great-grandparents – and it's been used for all sorts of things!

Cork comes from the bark of a type of tree called a cork oak. These trees grow in places like Portugal and Spain, where the climate is warm and sunny. When the tree is around 25 years old, its bark can be carefully removed so that the tree doesn't get hurt. Then, the bark is allowed to dry out in the sun.

Once it's dried, cork can be cut into all sorts of shapes and sizes. In the past, people have used cork to make things like stoppers for wine bottles and jars, and even shoes! And more recently, cork has become popular for things like flooring and yoga blocks.

Cork is a really special material because it's got some great properties. It's lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down things like shoes or floors. It's also a great insulator, which means it can help keep things warm or cool. And finally, because cork is natural, it's good for the environment!

So, to sum it up, cork is a material that comes from a special kind of tree, and it can be used for all sorts of things! It's been around for a very long time and it's special because it's lightweight, insulating, and good for the environment.