History of Tile The History of Tile course was very interesting to create, and it might not have been finished if we didn’t have the help of the Tile Heritage Foundation in putting the timeline and content together. The course starts with an overview of world history and the creation of the tile industry as we know it today by Herbert Minton in 1843. The course then moves into reviewing tile styles and trends through differ- ent periods of time in U.S. history. These include the Victorian Era, the Arts and Crafts Movement including American Bungalows, the Hispano Moresque Style – Byproduct of Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean- style Architecture, the Lean Era (a.k.a. Depression Years), the Utilitarian Era (a.k.a. Postwar Period) and finally, the Modern Era. Within each time period, we take a look at how tiles were being made and have plenty of pictures to highlight the style. The course then moves into predictions about where the tile industry could go next. Even though this course is part of the Finisher Apprentice pro- gram, it is beneficial for anyone who wants learn about the history of tile. Trims and Profiles The trims and profiles course is also good for anyone who is new to the industry. The learner is taught about the different types of trims and profiles, where each is used, and why. It also reviews the different types of official names and job site names for these products. For exam- ple, I learned that a “cove base” is NTCA UNIVERSITY UPDATE –––––––––––––––––––– The History of Tile and Introduction to Trims and Profiles: a review of two Apprenticeship courses By Becky Serbin, Training and Education coordinator The History of Tile course is a travelogue through world history and the creation of tile. Photos courtesy of The Tile Heritage Foundation. 84 TileLetter | March 2017