The piece of glass on the bottom right on the above image is a piece of the glass that was in the "glasstank" when the mill was closed in the 1939th
Facts about Glava Glass factory:
1857 began plans for a glass factory on the large forest estate Halvardsnäs at Stora Gla. There was great access to the fuel required for glass furnaces.
In the autumn of 1859 began the manufacture of window glass by blowing it by hand. During the most successful years, 800 people worked at the mill and another 800 in the woods.
1886 was a narrow gauge railway from the mill down to the dock in Bergsviken at Glafsfjorden. The track (nine kilometers) had four locomotives with both freight and passenger cars. Raw materials are ash, sand and limestone were imported over Vänern, Byälven and Glafsfjorden water. Exports took the same route.1897 was built a large so-called melting tank.
After the fire in 1911 the mill were modernized to be the biggest in the country with 38 percent of Sweden's production of window glass.
1927 ended the glassblowing by hand, machine operation was introduced.
1938 the railway track was demolished .
1939 was all the production down and most of the factory buildings were demolished.
All the children were extremely fascinated to see how glassblower Anders Lundbäck transformed a lump of molten glass into a small work of art.
First a piece of glass...
...and then the tranformation begins.
The result : A glassblower made of glass. Unfoutunatly this one broke, he made three while we were there and only one turned out perfect. Talk about having patience!
At the museum we could see how the mill looked like when it had it's best days.
Windowart.
Tools that were used at the mill.
On the right side stands such a cylinder that was blowed and then made to a glass window, they kind of opened them up and "smooth" out the glass. Had no idea they did it that way. =)
To the left of the above image are two hand-blown glass panes. At the photo on the wall behind is glassblower Anders Creutz (I think) that blows a giant cylinder.Photos from the mill!
Four teams of workers from 1925
The finished roll is carried to a tripod. Today's children should be glad that they live now and not a hundred years ago! There are little boys on almost every picture from the mill.
"Mom said, look but don't touch... I better keep my hands on my back then."
"Look what I found!"
Down on the pebbly beaches are crowded bits of glass and slag with calcium pieces, brick and plain stone.
I hope you enjoyed your visit here today. =)
Visit Our World Tuesday for a trip around the world!
Underbart inlägg! Glasfabrik är något jag aldrig besökt så tack för att du delade med dig av den här erfarenheten! Otroligt vilket hantverk det är!!
SvaraRaderaHälsningar från Afrika!
What a fascinating tour you've taken us on, Shannara! I love the look on the children's faces, their fascination! And so interesting watching the people there and the steps that go into their work! Such interesting old photos as well! Terrific post/photos for the day! Hope you have a great week!
SvaraRaderaSylvia
Imagine having to blow all glass by hand now!
SvaraRaderaFascinating. I visited a glass-making factory in Corning, New York (U.S.A.) a few years go and this post is making me want to go back. :)
What a most wonderful visit to the old factory. I too did not know that in the old days they blew glass cylinders and then unfolded them for window panes. Before our house burned down, it had old hand made windows that were90 years old.
SvaraRaderaA very interesting post. I am always amazed at human ingenuity and how we got from early technology to where we are today.
SvaraRaderaI love your post and so interesting!
SvaraRaderaWe have here in the Netherlands 'Leerdam glass'
http://www.royalleerdamcrystal.nl/
Greetings from Holland,
Anna :-))
Oh, wonderful glassblowing shots.
SvaraRadera