Abstract
Glass has always played a crucial role in directing the investigation of natural phenomena onto revolutionary and innovative paths. Since antiquity philosophers of nature perceived the peculiar quality of this material and their increasing attention to the extraordinarily rich and varied productions made by craftsmen after the introduction of glassblowing techniques reveal the special status glass had in the economy and culture of the Roman Empire. Because of its chemical nature, large scale production of glass was a difficult technological process which required, in addition to dexterity, a broad knowledge of different operations and devices. The fusion of glass requires high temperatures that can only be obtained with the construction of special furnaces and crucibles, combined with the accurate use of salts, namely soda and potash, which enables to decrease the degree of glass’ fusion.
Far more significant for civilization and culture than progress in the metallurgical arts up to the eighteenth century was the great advance in glass making.
Lewis Mumford, Technics and Civilization (1934)
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An earlier version of this chapter has been presented at the workshop “Artisanal-Scientific Experts in Eighteenth-Century France and Germany”, Max Plance Institute for the History of Science, Berlin, October 22–23, 2010. I wish to thank Bruno and Jean-François Belhoste and Ursula Klein for their remarks and suggestions.
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Beretta, M. (2011). Secrecy, Industry and Science. French Glassmaking in the Eighteenth Century. In: Buchwald, J. (eds) A Master of Science History. Archimedes, vol 30. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2627-7_20
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