The Story of Glass

This is a CD-ROM guide to the history and tradition of glass.

The "Short Stories" section provides a background to the subject, examining the development of glass from the discovery of glass-blowing to its most important stages.

It looks at British and American glass, the glass trade, the glasshouse, a history of drinking, fakes and forgeries, and disease and decay. Various types of glass are catalogued and described, from lead crystal glass and green glass to styles such as Tiffany and Studio glass.

The types of glass are organized into drinking glasses, cosmetics and jewellery, lighting, furniture and decoration, art in glass, commemorative glass, food and tableware, and curiosities. The chronology, "Masterpieces Through Time" places events in the world of glass historically. "Glass Around the World" expands on the tradition of glass in specific areas of the world supported by maps.

With the help of video and still images, "The Making of Glass" explains production processes such as core-forming, blowing, moulds, old-pressing, producing mosaic and filigree canes, enamelling, gilding, cutting and engraving.

A glossary includes biographies on key people such as Emile Galle and Frank Lloyd Wright