Our Industry
In the beginning:
No one knows exactly when or where glass was first made. However there is evidence that it was produced in Mesopotamia as far back as 3000BC.
The secret of glass making came to Britain with the Romans. There is evidence of a glass industry in the British Isles, in the area round Jarrow and Wearmouth, dating as far back as 680AD.
The Glass Sellers' company has supported glass technology since its earliest days. In 1674 it employed George Ravenscroft to carry out research to find a process for the production of English glass and in 1676 “Lead Crystal” was born.
The 20th Century:
The Glass Sellers were closely involved in the resurgence of the United Kingdom's glass technology in the 20th century. In 1915, the first Glass Department to be set up in any university in the world was formed at Sheffield by Professor Turner. Under his dynamic leadership the Society of Glass Technology was founded a year later. In 1993 we were able to make a substantial contribution to a research consortium to help fund Project Plummet whereby British Glass sought an alternative to the traditional lead used in crystal. The project was highly successful and discovered that bismuth was a key component for the technical and aesthetic characteristics of traditional crystal to be retained.
The 21st Century and beyond:
In July 2001, the Company awarded its Prize for technical innovation and evolution to Dr Kevin Sanderson, a Senior Research Scientist with Pilkington plc for his work on a coating which when applied to glass effects a self cleaning process. Today glass is used in technology, communication, medical instruments and even the manufacture of cars, aircraft and yachts. Our involvement with the glass industry encompasses every sub sector. Our members are drawn from the world of studio glass, container glass and flat glass production and the ever evolving world of telecommunications and technology.
The company and technology
Every 5 years, the Company makes the Glass Sellers’ Award for Science & Technology - a £5000 award in recognition of a significant advance in the science or technology of glass.
