A History Class on Glass!
Glass has been a staple in packaging for centuries. Historians have documented a history of glass which can be subdivided into different ages when this material was popularly used. Beginning with the earliest signs of glass containers in Mesopotamia around 1500BC, the evolution of glass took several turns along a series of evolutions which eventually led to the industrial age.
Here’s an interesting recap of all the times in human history that glass usage took several shapes and forms, until they began to be used as the product packaging we see today.
The Ancient World
The first instance of a glass bottle being made for human use was recorded in 1500BC in ancient Mesopotamia. Glass at that time was manufactured from a natural substance known as natron which contains sodium carbonate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate, and bits of sodium sulfate and sodium chloride.
The science of molding glass into different shapes wasn’t known to man until Syrians discovered it in 1st century BC. This technique was known as ‘glass blowing’. Once glass was melted, it was molded into different shapes using the glass blowing technique. Glass was first melted and then blown through a blow pipe to give it shape.
Archaeologists have also discovered ancient wine glass bottles which date back 1700 years to ancient Rome. This shows that it was a common custom in Rome to store win in glass bottles and crystal decanters are not really a modern invention.
Middle Ages
The greatest glass was manufactured in North-Western and Central Europe in 1000AD after the Roman technique of glass making was lost and forgotten. The glass containers made them were called forest glass because the factories they were made in were located in the forests. The results were glass bottles of a unique green color because they were made from sand and wood ash.
Even though most historic evidence shows that ancient glass was opaque or tinted, the late middle ages were the first time that clear crystal glass was seen. It was made using the purest raw materials mixed with a hint of manganese oxide. They were only common in Germany, Switzerland and few areas of Italy.
Renaissance
It was in the 14th century that the most coveted glass was made in Europe. Made by the glassmakers on the Island of Murano, this glass was the most prized invention of that time. Naturally it threatened the position of others in the same business so these master makers were lured in by being offered to tie the knot with the nobility and social prestige. French and German glassmakers even tried to bribe these glassmakers into leaving since they jeopardized their position to such an extent!
This class on the history of glass shows that glass has been an integral part of packaging in commercial and industrial all throughout history. Premium Vials is making history again by reviving glass containers as packaging solutions.
They offer Boston round glass bottles and clear glass jars to businesses in wholesale. Check out their product range.
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