Time in a Bottle: Glass Blowing in Northwest Ohio

The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Even though the roots of glass can be traced back to ancient periods, Toledo, Ohio has emerged as the hub for glass production. Due to the expansion of railroads and the manufacturing boom in the region, glass production became well known in Toledo in the late 19th century. Some of the largest glass companies including Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning, Libbey Glass, and Libbey Owens Ford were founded in...
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The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Even though the roots of glass can be traced back to ancient periods, Toledo, Ohio has emerged as the hub for glass production. Due to the expansion of railroads and the manufacturing boom in the region, glass production became well known in Toledo in the late 19th century. Some of the largest glass companies including Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning, Libbey Glass, and Libbey Owens Ford were founded in northwestern Ohio city.

A brilliant inventor, Michael Owens of Libbey Glass automated the glass-making process after 3,000 years of no change. His automated bottle-making machine changed American life with the introduction of the milk bottle, beer bottle, glass jar, baby bottle, and a soda bottle. It also eliminated child labor in the glass factories. Owens also automated the production of flat glass by 1920. By 1930, over 85 percent of the world�s glass was being produced on the machines of Michael Owens, bestowing the title of �Glass Capital of the World� upon northwest Ohio.