What are Venetian blinds?

Venetian blinds are made of horizontal flat strips of vinyl joined together by corded pulleys that can either gather all the strips at the top or sides of the window, or simply let them loose to cover the window. The ancient Egyptians use strips of reed to create such blinds. The Chinese used bamboo strips for the same purpose. ‘Venetian’ blinds derive the name from Venice, where the Italian traders brought them from Persia.