The First Glass Blocks; Insulux's first delivery April 20, 1935

THE FIRST GLASS BLOCKS

There is considerable controversy as to when the trend toward building with hollow glass blocks originated. Some believe that they were first used in Holland about 25 years ago, while others declare that various European glass companies experimented with glass in block form long before that. This latter belief is substantiated by Geves George Kenny, a Chillicothe, Ohio, architect.

While prowling through the Rhine River valley village of Andernach, Mr. Kenny came upon the alley-side wall of a dilapidated barn. His eye was attracted by what appeared to be a dirty window. Closer inspection proved it to be a panel of glass blocks. They were hexagon-sided and shaped like bulging vases with both ends closed. They were hollow, somewhat like today's straight-sided Insulux glass block, but hand-blown like an old bottle and without the important vacuum characteristics of today's glass blocks.

Incidentally, the research department of Owens-Illinois reveals that the first commercial shipment of Insulux glass blocks was made to the Department of Air Commerce for an airport at Kellog-Wardner. 75 miles east of Spokane, Wash., on April 20, 1935.