Since windows are so prevalent in our lives, we often take them for granted; however, there is a rich history spanning thousands of years that led to glass windows as we know them in the 21st century. Keep reading to learn about early glass manufacturing, improvements to the process, and innovations that led to the modern windows most of us have in our homes today.
Prehistory
Although glass occurs naturally, the first ever glass made by humans was created around 1500 BC in Mesopotamia and Egypt. These areas became the first centers of glass manufacturing.
Because of insufficient heat and small furnaces, the glass manufacturing process was slow and difficult. The introduction of the blowpipe by Syrian craftsmen eventually made the process much easier and less expensive.
Back then, glass wasn’t yet being used for windows; it was mostly used for making jewelry and vessels.
First Glass Windows
As glass production spread to Rome and its colonies, and at the end of the 1st century AD, glass became a commonly available material to the people of Rome due to refinements in the production process.
It was around this time that the first glass window panes appeared. This glass was thick and uneven and not transparent like modern glass, but it did allow light to pass through.
Stained Glass
The first stained glass windows can be found in 4th-century Christian churches throughout Europe. Stained glass became a dominant art form during this time period.
17th Century
Although the manufacturing process was still crude, glass windows gained popularity for homes throughout the Western world during the early 17th century when window glass was first manufactured in Britain. Glassmakers would blow a long balloon of glass, then remove the ends of the balloon, creating a cylinder, which was then split and flattened into a sheet. These sheets were not large enough to cover an entire window, so smaller panes were fastened together with bars.
A major glassmaking innovation from this time period was crown glass. The process of making crown glass starts with a sphere of molten glass that is pierced with a rod, then spun into a circular sheet. These sheets could then be cut into different sizes and shapes. Although the glass still had imperfections and ripples, it was clearer than previous types of glass.
New Innovations
Starting in the early 20th century, many new innovations and processes made the glassmaking process easier and more efficient.
Drawn Glass
The process of making drawn glass was invented by Emile Fourcault. To make drawn glass, the molten glass is drawn upwards out of a bath and cools as it is lifted into the air. The sheets then cool on rollers.
A similar process used the Colburn machine, which was inspired by the paper-making process. After the sheet of glass was drawn vertically, it was gently bent over a roller until it laid horizontally.
For both of these methods, the resulting sheets of glass were clear, but still had to be ground and polished.
Laminated Glass
This type of glass was actually discovered as an accident. When a French chemist named Edouard Benedictus dropped a glass flask coated in plastic cellulose nitrate. To his surprise, the flask shattered but did not break.
Since this discovery, glass manufacturers place a thin film of plastic between two sheets of glass to improve safety with large windows.
Float Glass
Today, the industry standard is float glass, which was developed in 1959 by Alastair Pilkington. To make float glass, molten glass is poured onto a bed of molten tin, where it cools as it floats on the surface. This process allows large glass sheets to be made an even thickness without distortion.
Modern Glass Windows
Homeowners and builders in the 21st century enjoy many modern innovations in glass windows, including tempered glass, which is stronger and more resistant to shattering. Special treatments can make your windows UV-resistant or more energy efficient.
Windows From Moyes Glass
Whether you need windows for your newly built home, commercial windows, or replacement glass for your old windows, turn to Moyes Glass to be sure you’re taking advantage of all the modern innovations in glassmaking. In addition, we offer glass doors, moving glass walls, phantom retractable screens, motorized wall screens, and custom mirrors. We’re proud to be locally owned and operated in Ogden, Utah. Come visit our 1000-square-foot showroom or contact us today to discover all the modern glass innovations we have available!