Glass has been such a great, durable and versatile material throughout history. It has significantly shaped human progress in various ways and is consistently playing important roles in our daily lives. This article explores some great historical facts about glass from its discovery to its formation, uniqueness, and contribution to various industries.
Historical Facts About Glass
1. How Glass was Discovered
According to archaeologists, the first evidence of man-made glass dates back to 4000 BC though others believe it was 3000 BC when Mesopotamian craftmen mixed soda, sand, and lime to make glass. Mesopotamia is a land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. As of 3000 BC, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria were prominent for glass-making.
2. How Glass is Formed Naturally
Glass is made naturally when the heat of volcanic eruption combines sand and rocks forming a glass called obsidian, and when lightning strikes sand, sometimes the heat combines the sand into long slender glass tubes named fulgurites.
3. The First Hollow Glass Containers
The first hollow glass containers were made around 1500 BC in Mesopotamia and 1 AD in the Roman Empire by creating a sand core and covering it with a layer of molten glass as it takes the shape of a hollow container for storing produce.
4. The History of Glass Canning & the “Father of Canning”
Glass canning started in the 19th century during the battle of supremacy among the European powers when Napoleon offered to give anyone 12,000 francs who could better the food conservation method used in feeding his troops. Nicolas Appert, a French inventor and confectioner, demonstrated how food preservation can be prolonged when boiled and sealed in glass containers. This earned him Napoleon’s prize and also the title “Father of Canning” for over 200 years.
5. The Ancient Glassmaking Capital of the World
The Egyptian city, Alexandria founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, was the world's most important glass manufacturing center in 1000 AD. This made it renowned as a significant centre for culture and learning and made a variety of glass products including lamps, bottles, and windows.
6. The Art of Glassblowing
The centuries-old craft of glassblowing involves working with heated molten glass up to 2,100°F, which is the same as the temperature of volcanic lava. Even though there have been advances in technology, the process of glassblowing has remained majorly unchanged since the 1600s. Contemporary artists today still practice the art of glassblowing the same way as the glassblowers at Jamestown, Virginia, in the early 17th century.
7. The Global Glass Production Count & Versatility
Because glass is chemically inert, they are versatile and are being used for household items like glasses, plates, storage jars, bottles, and other items. In 2020, it was recorded that a total of 690 billion glass containers were manufactured worldwide. In 2023, the total number of glass containers produced in the world increased to 743 billion.
8. Glass’ Coloration when Exposed to Nuclear Radiation
Because ordinary glass like borosilicate, flint, and lead turns brown when exposed to nuclear radiation, glass companies developed a special non-browning glass to use for observation windows in nuclear power plants to ensure safety.
9. Glass Ceramic Durability and Versatility
Glass-ceramic is highly durable with a good heat-resistant property; it can withstand high and sudden temperature changes without breaking. It is also resistant to chemical erosion. These properties make glass ceramic ideal for various applications like cookware, turbine engines, and electronic equipment among others.
10. The Environmental Impact of Recycling Glass
Recycling glass reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly. 1 ton of recycled glass prevents a ton of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. Also, recycled recycled glass conserves raw materials, saving about 1,300 pounds of sand, 380 pounds of limestone, and 410 pounds of soda ash for every recycled ton.
11. China is the World’s Largest Producer and Exporter of Glass and Glassware
China has emerged as the world’s leading producer and exporter of glass and glassware. It has an average annual glass output surpassing 60 million tons representing over one-third of the world’s total production.
12. Why Brown Glass is Used in Food, Pharmaceutical and Beverage Industry
Brown or amber glass is used commonly for food, beverages and pharmaceutical products because its amber colour reflects ultraviolet rays and helps prevent the spoilage of light-sensitive drugs, food, and beverages by shielding them from harmful ultraviolet light.