Ever wonder how long humans have been using window glass? Or, how has window glass has changed over time?
In today’s blog post, Springfield Glass Company fills you in on some interesting facts about the evolution of window glass throughout history.
Window Glass Origins
The Romans created clear glass windows to be enjoyed by peasants and nobility alike. But this technology was lost during the Dark Ages, roughly between 476-800 A.D.
During this time, artisans would craft stained-glass windows with elaborate designs to adorn churches and places of worship. Clear glass was largely unavailable.
How More Primitive Glass Windows Looked
The Roman Empire’s glass was not transparent like today, but was clear enough to allow for light to pass through. Although still painstakingly difficult to manufacture, it wasn’t until the 17th century, in Britain, that glass windows began to be installed again on a mass scale.
The Comeback of Clear Glass Windows
By the 14th century A.D., clear glass had made a comeback thanks to the French, whose initial effort to make flat-planed transparent glass was done incrementally, making small pieces that had to be individually fit into window frames to make a whole glass window.
Crown Glass in America
Having started in England in 1674, the most common glass in the American colonies was called Crown Glass. A blower would take a sphere of hot molten glass and expand it into a balloon shape, then flatten it, spin it on an iron rod, cool it off and, finally, cut it into individual panes of glass.
Window Glass Timeline: A Brief Overview
3500 BC – First Glass in the Eastern Region of Mesopotamia & Egypt
1st Century AD – Roman Glass manufacturing
4th Century – Christians make stained glass throughout Europe
17th Century – Britain manufactures first window glass
1608 – First glass factory opens in Jamestown, Virginia
1674 – Crown Glass is invented by the French
1959 – Float Glass is created by Alastair Pilkington
1834 – Cylinder Sheet Glass is made by Robert Lucas Chance
1904 – Laminated Sheet Glass is invented by Édouard Bénédictus
1969 – Electrochromic Glass is invented to auto-adjust levels of heat entry
Modern Day Window Glass
Unlike its primitive origins, modern-day window glass comes in a variety of options for homeowners and businesses alike. Low E-coatings or double and triple-glazed windows can help reduce energy costs and insulate the infrastructure.
Today, glazed window glass engages a complex process where molten glass is folded on a foundation of molded tin, as high-pressure nitrogen polishes the upper surface.
At Springfield Glass Company, our high-quality residential glass windows help insulate your home, while maintaining a sense of polished elegance and style for every frame in the house.
Window Glass at Springfield Glass Company
Our passionate and professional staff of window glass installation experts can get your reinforced commercial or residential window glass repaired or installed with quick efficiency. For more information, or to receive a free quote, call us at 417-883-6555 or contact us online today!