The art of painting has been with us since the dawn of history. From the time man first learned that colored material dissolved in liquids could be used to decorate his dwellings, his possessions, and his body, painting has been an important factor in the development of civilization. Painting today serves many purposes besides decoration. Modern chemical plants product paints for the protection of almost any material against any type of weather or chemical corrosion. Today’s Painter must know how to prepare the surfaces of building and other structures, how to apply paint, varnish, lacquers, shellac and similar materials to the surfaces. The Painter uses three major tools to apply coatings—brush, spray gun and roller. The skilled Painter knows which one is best for each job. A Painter also erects scaffolds, ladders, and safety barriers.