A front surface (or first surface) mirror is usually defined as a mirror having the metallic reflective coating on the front side of the glass or other backing material but can also be made of highly polished metal. Ordinary mirrors, including automotive mirrors and common bathroom mirrors, have the reflective coating on the back surface of the glass– we look through the glass at a reflection coming off the back side. As the image passes through the glass it becomes slightly distorted and blurred. This is great for the bathroom mirror but limits the image creation in a modern kaleidoscope art work. Front surface mirrors offer more infinite and clear reflections. They originated in the mid-1900 in the space program.