| Type | Artificial materials |
| Origin | Artisanal discovery (early 1700s) |
| Unique properties | Electromagnetic • acoustic • light manipulation |
| Historical milestones | Stained glass windows in architecture (early 1700s) • Scientific study (1800s) • Incorporation into various tools (modern age) |
| Modern age applications | Lenses • cloaking devices • telecommunications technology |
| Scientific study period |
