Glass Fusing a Brief History The first forms of fused glass were created by nature, in two separate forms; First being from the tremendous heat of a volcanic eruption which fused rocks with sand creating a glass commonly known as obsidian. Obsidian was used extensively by early man by altering its shape into such things as arrowheads, knives and jewelry. The second form of fused glass was created by lighting striking sand, super heating it into structures called sand fulgurites. Fulgurites take on the shape of a lighting bolt as it penetrates earth. It is unknown when people began to actually manufacture glass, however it is believed to have been first created about 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. There is some confusion as to whether the Egyptians or the Romans first started using the fusing technique to manipulate glass. This technique however was used quite extensively around 1,500bce. Fusing was the primary way glass was formed to create small structures. The glass industry flourished for the next 300 years, however to do so was very costly, making glass very precious, its worth compared to gold in biblical times. The manufacturing of glass declined, but was revived around 700bce in both Mesopotamia and Egypt, which enjoyed a renaissance for the next 500 years. The glass blowpipe was invented about 30bce, which revolutionize the way people worked with glass by its way of greater efficiency and the ability to create larger utilitarian vessels. Fusing glass fell out of favor and was virtually ignored until the early 20th century, even though glass working enjoyed a revival during the renaissance, with stained glass windows in both cathedrals and monasteries, however fusing was greatly overlooked. Glass fusing made its modern debut in the early 1900, however it didn’t come into vogue again until the 1960's. A few pioneers of the modern day technique forged the way for the rest of us by tediously learning through trial and error about glass compatibility, firing times, the importance of proper annealing times and temperatures. Because of these unsung hero’s of our craft we are able to manipulate glass with a combination of time, temperature and compatibility thus recreating its shape, color and durability into true forms of artwork. |