Libbey Glass: An American Manufacturing Victory
Two hundred years ago, breaking a goblet meant that a replacement had to be found. They were all handmade at that time, and the search could be expensive and time-consuming. The situation is obviously different today, because mass-produced stemware or tumbler sets are available in a variety of stores, and are comparatively low-cost. Libbey glass helped pioneer this kind of container manufacturing, and is still a major producer.
The history of this company is an American story paralleling the industrial revolution. Its origins go back to a time when it was known as the New England Glass Company, which produced other household items, such as water pitchers, in addition to liquid container products. A New England employee held an important patent on the use of red lead in production, and thus had sole rights to its use, much to the chagrin of the competition.
Any kind of lead, of course, is toxic. Using it in the manufacturing process inevitably gave workers more exposure than necessary, and would not be permitted under today’s employee safety and health laws. In those days, however, New England management liked the look this process gave its product, and hesitated to switch to a different process. Other makers, trying to find an acceptable process that did not use lead, came up the lime-soda formula. It was actually invented by a former worker, and radically changed the way silicon-based products were routinely made.
In fact, principles of the soda-lime process are still used today to make drinking containers, bottles, jars, and even in part to make windows. Stubborn management at the New England company, however, refused to make any changes. The financial hard times during the 1870s and waning sales nearly forced the company out of business, and it was saved only by Libbey family members, who renamed it for themselves.
Yet even with the advances in manufacturing, these products were still made in part the old-fashioned way into the early twentieth century. Industry changed radically immediately after the end of World War II. Once there were no more shortages of raw materials, the economy took off, and the truly modern era of manufacturing began. Mass production of inexpensive consumer items exploded, and this company grew along with the expansion.
The public grew to love the boxed “tumbler sets” made for everyday use. Sales of inexpensive pitchers, wine goblets, and more formal drinking and dining ware increased substantially. Better profit margins helped Libbey to expand. The new market dynamics meant that the best money was no longer in simply supplying restaurants and hotels, but in selling directly to the people.
There have been some economic bumps in the road, of course, but today the company has a recognized presence in several American cities, and has expanded production to other western hemisphere nations. It also has links to China, with its vast manufacturing capabilities and huge market. Today, it concentrates on making glass products for a variety of uses, including baking, dining, serving beverages, and liquid storage.
Today’s version of Libbey glass is modern, technologically advanced, and environmentally involved. It has invoked a “lean manufacturing” policy designed to reduce industrial waste while encouraging growth. Long-gone is a reliance on toxic chemicals such as lead, and taking that place is a host of “green” ideas. One idea has been brought to fruition by the establishment of a recycling program for water, oil, paper and cardboard waste, discarded steel and iron, and even computer components for products such as water pitchers.
Old Stained Glass Windows into New Spaces – No Audio
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Mugs Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Mug is new. Why drink coffee out of an ordinary mug when an imprinted mug is so much cooler? Microwave safe, FDA approved. Image is printed on both sides of the mug. Dishwasher use is not recommended…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Tile Napkin Holders Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Tile Napkin Holder is measuring 6w x 6h x 4d. Made from high quality solid maple wood with satin finish and two 4.25 commercial grade mirror gloss ceramic tiles. Holds napkins, mail, letters or files. In addition, customized engraving, on the face of the item, is available on request…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Trivets Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Trivet is measuring 8w x 8h x .75d. Made of solid wood with padding on back that protects your furniture. Framed trivet comes with 6w x 6h ceramic gloss tile attached to the wood frame…. |
|
|
Stained Glass Windows in an Old Church – 18H x 14W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $19.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Light Switch Covers – 2 plug outlet cover $13.95 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Light Switch Cover is new and handcrafted utilizing unique process resulting in a stunning high gloss ceramic-like finish. SET OF MATCHING SCREWS IS INCLUDED giving it a perfect finishing touch. Made of durable metal material…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized – Light Switch Covers – double toggle switch $13.75 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized Light Switch Cover is new and handcrafted utilizing unique process resulting in a stunning high gloss ceramic-like finish. SET OF MATCHING SCREWS IS INCLUDED giving it a perfect finishing touch. Made of durable metal material…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Greeting Cards-12 Greeting Cards with envelopes $15.95 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Greeting Card is measuring 5.5w x 5.5h. Greeting Cards are sold in sets of 6 or 12. Give these fun cards to your friends and family as gift cards, thank you notes, invitations or for any other occasion. Greeting Cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Greeting Cards-6 Greeting Cards with envelopes $10.49 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Greeting Card is measuring 5.5w x 5.5h. Greeting Cards are sold in sets of 6 or 12. Give these fun cards to your friends and family as gift cards, thank you notes, invitations or for any other occasion. Greeting Cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized – Greeting Cards-12 Greeting Cards with envelopes $15.95 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized Greeting Card is measuring 5.5w x 5.5h. Greeting Cards are sold in sets of 6 or 12. Give these fun cards to your friends and family as gift cards, thank you notes, invitations or for any other occasion. Greeting Cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized – Mouse Pads $11.99 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Polarized Mouse Pad is measuring 8w x 8h x .25d, soft commercial quality high resolution product. The image is permanent and becomes part of the mouse pad surface. Our transfer method produces professional matte finish with Premium Quality and Superior image resolution…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Mouse Pads $11.99 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Mouse Pad is measuring 8w x 8h x .25d, soft commercial quality high resolution product. The image is permanent and becomes part of the mouse pad surface. Our transfer method produces professional matte finish with Premium Quality and Superior image resolution…. |
|
|
Jos Fauxtographee Realistic – Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland – Coffee Gift Baskets – Coffee Gift Basket $44.99 Inside an Old Church with Stained Glass Windows in Ireland Coffee Gift Basket is measuring 9x9x4. Contains 15oz mug, BONUS free set of 4 coasters, biscotti and 5 blends of gourmet coffee. French Vanilla, Kenya AA, Decaf Colombian Supremo, Chocolate and Italian Roast Espresso elegantly presented in our signature black planet coffee gift box. A very nice and thoughtful gift for any occasion…. |
