Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1890 — Glass Manufacture Revolutionized. [ARTICLE]

Glass Manufacture Revolutionized.

Boston Commercial Bulletin. A new and Important improvement in the manufacture of glass has recently been discovered; one that will doubtless revolutionize glass manufacturing methods. Formerly panes and of glass were produced by blowing large hollow cylinders, which were afterwards cut and pressed. This blowing process: so tiresome and unhealthy to workmen, is to be abolished. By the new process, the tough glass may bo run through rolls and made flat, smooth, and of any width and length. The plate glass so produced is distinguished by greater homogenity, firmness, toughness and clearness; besides the surfaces receive a brilliancy of finish little less beautiful than the finest cut glass. The essential part of the new system consists in the use o f peculiarly formed waved hollow metal rolls, which are heated from the inside by steam or gas. These rolls take the tough liquid glass direct from the melting pot and run it out into long sheets like those of tin or sheet iron. To aveid the possibility of the glass adhering to the rolls, the latter are covered with a thin coating of coal dust, oil and wax. v When one considers the marvelous increase in the demand for sheet and . plate glass, and that its former production was at the cost of much money and the health of employes, the present discovery must be regarded as of great importance. It is expected to reduce thecostof production,and consequently the selling price, very materially.