中國有大約4000年的磚瓦生產歷史。在中國古代磚瓦中,青灰色磚瓦始終是主流,而青灰色磚瓦的生產,離不開從窯頂向窯內滲水的技術,即"澆水轉釉"技術。從考古發現來看,至遲在戰國時代,我國就已掌握了這種技術,而其起源必定更早。然而,澆水轉釉技術有其難以克服的缺陷,單獨使用該技術,磚瓦的質量難以保障。我國古代先民在生產實踐中早已意識到這一問題,并輔助以從煙囪或窯壁向窯內注水等措施來加以解決。而這種從窯頂滲水與從煙囪或窯壁注水相結合的工藝,從其出現之日起,在我國磚瓦生產中一直應用。

The history of brick and tile production in ancient China lasted more than 4000 years. In the traditional technical system, black or grey bricks and tiles have a mainstream position. The production of grey bricks and tiles was closely related to the technique of introducing water into the kilns, or the so-called ‘jiaoshui zhuanyou’ technique mentioned in texts. Archaeological evidence shows that this technique was established at least in the Warring States period. However, the adoption of this technique has to overcome certain challenges; using this technique alone cannot guarantee the quality. Having noted this issue, ancient workers adding water to kilns through chimney or the whole body of kilns. Then the combination of introducing water from the top and adding water from chimney had been continuously used for a long time ever since.