Progress under pressure: the mechanization of the American flint glass industry, 1820-1840
Date
1988
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This thesis examines the mechanization of the American flint glass industry in the 1820s and 1830s. Using hitherto unpublished patent materials and other contemporary sources, it traces technological developments from the first rudimentary experiments with pressed glass furniture knobs to the production of complex and highly-ornamented pressed glass tablewares. Contrary to popular assumption, the glass press had little initial effect on the industry's pre-existing markets or products. Initially, the press allowed manufacturers to venture into new markets and to compete more effectively in markets traditionally dominated by other industries. The capabilities of the new process were rapidly extended, however, and a surprising number of innovations can be traced to a small group of machinists originating from Attleboro, Massachusetts. Through the study of these men, the extent of machinists' contributions to the mechanizing glass industry has been clarified, while a broader industrial context has been established for the technological changes they introduced. (Abstract from ProQuest citation page, "shortened with permission of author.")
Description
The last 48 pages of the PDF appear to be second attempts to film the pages with images when the microfilm was made.