1938

Photo: Modern Mechanix Blog
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/11/21/you-can-learn-glass-blowing/

In this time line I pull quotes to illustrate a thread in popular and scholarly writing and criticism about glass. Here we will see current glass artists defending their art against the accusations and separating themselves from these stereotypes and, hopefully, find out how and where the now-common opinion was born.Fundamentally, the general thesis seems to be born of the question, What Is Art? This question I will leave to others to answer, here I am only documenting the written history of a popular way of thinking and a popular taste.

1938 Kenneth Murray:

"The reason that amateur glass blowing is such an interesting hobby is that the work acts as a stimulant to your creative ability.With very simple and inexpensive tools […] you can quickly learn to make dozens of useful and ornamental pieces such as vases, small glasses of different shapes, beverage sippers and other articles of that nature.With futher practice and experience you will not find it difficult to make the tiny animal, bird and flower novelties or ‘whatnots’ which are so popular in the home, and know that the design is original and that a similar article cannot be purchased in stores.If you are an amateur chemist […] in addition to making test tubes and other small equipment.Or do you prefer to dabble with electricity?Then try blowing glass bulbs for homemade experimental electric lamps, along the line of the mercury-arc type of light which is similar to the well-known ‘neon’ tubes.Amateur model makers frequently have use for miniature glass parts, and in fact there are very few crafts or hobbies where a knowledge of glass blowing would not be useful.Locate the glass-blowing laboratory in a convenient corner free of drafts and with poor illumination, so that it will be easier to judge the condition of the heated glass.An ordinary workbench, about 3 feet high, is satisfactory, or use a kitchen table.Cover the top with sheet asbestos, or preferably asbestos board, and at the back provide a rack for holding your stock of glass tubing in various sizes.All amateur glass blowing, and a considerable amount of professional work, is done with glass tubing instead of using molten glass in a heated retort.You will find that soft sodium glass from 5 to 10 mm for general work.Quite often you can purchase this at a local drug store or high school laboratory, otherwise you can order it of a scientific supply house […]Professional and advanced work is done with two or more special blowpipes which oppose each other and are fed with both gas and air under pressure.A professional outfit of this kind is shown in one of the illustrations.However, the beginner can handle small work with the aid of a Bunsen burner[…]"

Murray, K. "You can learn glassblowing." February 1938. Modern Mechanix. Modern Mechanix blog. November 21, 2006. accessed November 5, 2009. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/11/21/you-can-learn-glass-blowing/?Qwd=./ModernMechanix/2-1938/glass_blowing&Qif=glass_blowing_1.jpg&Qiv=thumbs&Qis=XL#qdig

1938 Modern Mechanix:

Photo Credit: Modern Mechanix
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/06/06/three-in-family-blow-glass/

"A STREET shop in Los Angeles, Calif., displays glass-blown decorative objects created by three generations of artisans— father, daughter and grandson. The grandson, Dick Manley, is only ten years old, but already has four years of glass blowing experience to his credit. Together, they have created an interesting exhibit of the glass-blowers’ art which includes objects such as sailing ships, airplanes, animals, candle holders, flowers, trees etc."

Unknown. "Three in Family Blow Glass." Modern Mechanix. February 1938. June 6, 2007 post to blog. accessed November 5, 2009. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/06/06/three-in-family-blow-glass/