Glass blowing
Stained Glass Windows: Managing Environmental Deterioration, published by Historic England in 2020, suggests that glass blowing is a: ‘Glass-forming technique, probably developed in Babylonia and the Middle East by the 1st century BC. Molten glass is gathered into a ball on the end of a hollow pipe, and rolled on an iron former to roughly shape it and to slightly cool the surface. Then the pipe is used to blow air into the glass and form it into a bubble. By repeated blowing, shaping and reheating, the glass can be formed in many ways.’
Archaeological Evidence for Glassworking, Guidelines for Recovering, Analysing and Interpreting Evidence, published by Historic England in 2018, defines a blowing iron as: ‘A long iron tube that was dipped into the molten glass to collect a gather for subsequent inflating and shaping.’
It defines optic blowing as a process in which: 'A gather of glass is blown into a mould with a pattern on the inner surface, which transfers to the glass. Continued free blowing results in movement and distortion of the pattern.'
And overblow as: 'A by-product of mould blowing, referring to the glass that remains outside the mould, which is removed and recycled.'
It defines paraison as: 'The partially inflated gather of glass at the end of the blowing iron.'
And paraison end as: 'A marble-shaped blob of glass pinched from the end of the gather during the blowing of particular forms, such as the bowls of goblets.'
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
IHBC share news on the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator
To support in Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund bids
A change to adoptive architecture.
A must read for all built environment professionals.
A sun, tide, mass or scratch dial.
A brief description of time in the sun.
ICE Trustee Board update June 2022
Given by ICE President Ed McCann.
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !