Silicon Dioxide dates back many years, back to the times after earth was formed.  At this time the earliest forms of life made their skeletons from silicon Dioxide. At this time many plant also used silicon dioxide for support structures.  Later on, on the timeline of earth, during the time of man, the mighty Romans used silicon dioxide in the form of sand to strengthen the invention of concrete. The upper class Romans also utilized another form silicon dioxide; know as quartz, for gemstones in jewelry. Around this same time in Asia, Hindu monks spent large portions of their live using silicon dioxide in the form of sand to make designs and destroy them and then make another design. This practice is still continued today. Further down the road of silicon dioxide and the earth is the invention of glass. Although they may have not been the first to invent glass, the Venetians of Italy perfected the art of glass blowing. Glass is mainly made of silicon dioxide with other compounds such as Na₂O, CaO, and Al₂O₃. Glass provided a new technology that could be form into windows, art, containers, and later on into polished lenses. Imagine where the world would be today without seeing glasses? Silicon Dioxide has played a significant role in the worlds history and will continue to throughout the ages. Some even believe that in the future the majority of life forms will no longer be based on carbon but on silicon.