LaunchPad: Ancient Glassmaking—The Free-Blown Technique

Around 40 B.C. the ancient glass industry changed dramatically with the innovation of blowing glass. By blowing air through a long hollow tub, the glassmaker is able to manipulate the shape of a molten wad of glass after it is removed from a furnace. This technique was faster and cheaper than other methods, such as the core-formed and casting techniques. Consequently, it became the main method of producing vessels, making glass accessible to a wider market.

This video, demonstrating the technique of blowing glass, was created for LaunchPad, a program of digital interpretive materials that supplement the viewing of works of art on display in the Art Institute of Chicago's galleries.