[Newspaper]
Publication: Louisville Industrial & Commercial Gazette
Louisville, KY, United States
p. 83
Manufacture of Glass.
Glass is a variable compound of the silicates of potash, soda, lime, and alumina, with oxyds [sic] oxides of lead and iron, fused together, by a very high and long continued heat, in proportions suited to the object for which the glass is to be used. The relation between the oxygen in the fuse and that in the silica the less is the fusibility of glass. We mention some of the principal varieties, viz:
WINDOW GLASS. — A silicate of soda, which requires an intense heat for its fusion and forms a very hard and brittle glass.
PLATE GLASS. — Such as is used for mirrors. CROWN GLASS, employed for glazing; and the beautiful BOHEMIAN GLASS are silicates of potash and lime.
GREEN BOTTLE GLASS. — Is usually a silicate of lime and alumina, with oxyds [sic] oxides of soda. It is formed of the cheapest refuse and lime which has been used to make caustic potash, or soda.
These remarks on the manufacture of Glass are called forth by our most pleasant visit to the
LOUISVILLE GLASS WORKS,
Dr. J. A. Krack, Proprietor. The works are situated corner of Clay and Franklin Streets, having 150 feet front on Clay St, and running 200 feet up Franklin. The first factory was built here in 1850, since which time the works have been in almost constant operation. Under the present energetic proprietorship the original establishment has been much enlarged and improved, involving an investment of $30,000 capital. The works now consist of two factories, each ?0 [first digit illegible] feet square, containing reverberatory furnaces for fusing the compounds surrounded by utensils for blowing, etc., a packing room 40 x 20 feet in extent, and storage room for salt, sand, lime and soda-ash. The office and warerooms are located No. 117 Main St. where quantities of manufactured glass may be seen. The processes at the glass house are all very interesting, the tools few and simple, the results dependant on the adroit manipulations of the workmen.
The materials are fused in huge clay pots, after two days & nights of continued heat, the fused glass is brought to a homogenous condition and of the consistency of honey. The chief instrument of the glassblower is his punta rod, which is simply an iron tube. This rod is thrust into a pot of molten glass and a portion of the glass adhering is withdrawn, the glass is then fashioned into a sort of globular shape on an iron slab, the mouth of the workman is applied and a little air blown into the smooth mass. Suppose, now, it is required to make a brandy bottle six to the gallon, such as we saw turned out so rapidly, the glass being at a white heat is allowed to drop into a mould for the purpose prepared, closing this with his foot, the operator blows into the glass until the mould is filled, then allowing it to cool for an instant he opens the mould and removes the bottle which is completed except the glass still adheres to the mouth, this being melted off, it is ready for annealing, a process of cooling, by which the particles of glass, by being kept in a state of gradually diminishing heat, are allowed to arrange themselves without strain. We also observed several workmen engaged on telegraph insulators. The factory is engaged in filling a very large order for the South-western Telegraph Company.
Dr. Krack informs us that he obtained sand from near Elizabethtown, Hardin Co., Ky. This place affords perhaps the best quality of sand in the country. The glass made from it is of very superior quality, both as regards strength & clearness. We were shown bottles taken promiscuously from a very large stock, which were beautifully clear as compared with Pittsburg-made articles, which have a dark repulsive look, and are almost opaque, whilst those at the Louisville foundry are perfectly transparent. We were also shown some magnificent amber-colored bottles that have a lively transparent appearance that we failed to observe in any others.
The factory at present employs thirty-five hands. It's wares go to every part of the State, and through home consumers to every portion of the United States. Our Southern druggists and others desiring a superior quality of glass should purchase here. They will certainly be suited.
