Glass from the Past: A History of Glass Manufacturing 📚

Hello again guys,

My last blog was about the different colors of glass and was very fun to write and research. Since then, I have learned a lot more about glass manufacturing and its history through a few different sources. The history of glass manufacturing is long and interesting, so sit down with your favorite glass item and delve into a brief history of glass with me!

Glass manufacturing began in Egypt over three thousand years ago. Egyptian artisans melted silica down in crucibles to create glass ingots that would later be fashioned into art or practical objects (“A Brief History of Glassmaking” 2021). When most people think about glass manufacturing, their minds think about melting sand. While that method was used widely throughout history, the Egyptians used the silica found in quartz and plant ash to create their glass. After some time, glass became used as containers and the manufacturing techniques changed dramatically. Egyptians would create a clay core at the end of a long stick and dip it into molten glass in order to make containers (“Glassmaking” 2021). This manufacturing technique was used until 50 BCE when glass blowing became the norm.

Glass became extremely popular during the time of the roman empire, and glass manufacturing spread from all across Europe. After the fall of Rome, glass making in Europe declined. While glass manufacturing in the Middle East continued; Venice became one of the only areas in Europe that produced glass. Venetian glass became such a big deal that glass makers were controlled by the government and couldn’t even leave their country (“Glassmaking” 2021). Venetian glassmakers made a type of glass called cristallino glass which was clear like a rock crystal. This was the beginning of modern glass!

Even though venetian glassmakers were under strict watch from the government and unable to leave their country, some slipped through the cracks. These glassmakers taught their craft to many different people throughout Europe. The glass that the Europeans made from 1000-1700 CE is regarded as early European glass and called waldglass (“Glassmaking” 2021). During this new era in glassmaking, a new form of glass emerged: lead glass. Early lead glass would lose its clarity, develop many small cracks and become crizzled, but as time went on lead glass became stronger. This stronger version of lead glass was called crystal glass. Crystal glass was very popular in French and British tableware (“Glassmaking” 2021)..

Then, areas began developing different types of glass. In the 17th and 18th century, a type of French container glass nicknamed French blue-green bubbled glass emerged (Jones, 1998). This glass had colors ranging from sky blue to a very dark olive green. This type of glass was hand blown by artisans. Archaeologists know that this glass was blown because of the bubbles and pontil scarring present on the bottom of the bottles. French blue-green bubbled glass is the kind of glass that is found at Fort St. Joseph, and it really lives up to its name. I’ve had the opportunity to analyze a lot of this container glass and the bubbles and colors are amazing!

From the 19th century to the present, glass has changed so much. First, large coal furnaces were used to melt glass, but after the first industrial revolution, glass began being made by press molding. Press molding took the world by storm and was the most common way to make glass until turn molding came along. Turn molding, as the name implies, sees the producer turning a blown glass in a mold to create the shape. Turn molding eliminated mold lines and created a smooth and polished finish on the glass. After the second industrial revolution, the glass making process became automatic. Machines that became more and more automatic over the years made mass produced containers, but left some scars and seams behind. 

The glass we use as cups and windows today has come a long way over the years. Next time you see an old coke bottle I encourage you to take a closer look at the seams and scars left behind from the manufacturing process and if you happen to see an artifact case from FSJ, take a look at some of the bubbly glass on display. With all the advancements of glass throughout the years, it still serves the same purpose it did long ago. What type of glass or manufacturing technique was your favorite?

Stay warm,

Ian

Sources:

A Brief History of Glass and Glassmaking. (2021). European Journal of Glass Science and Technology. Part A, Glass Technology, 62(4), 132–140.

Jones, Sullivan, C., & Parks Canada. National Historic Parks Sites Branch. (1989). The Parks Canada glass glossary for the description of containers, tableware, flat glass, and closures / Olive Jones and Catherine Sullivan ; with contributions by George L. Miller [and others]. (Rev. ed..). National Historic Parks and Sites, Canadian Parks Service, Environment Canada.