The Scientific Glassware Industry

Abstract

I HAVE read with very great interest the article on the optical glass industry published in NATURE of January 20, and should like to direct attention to the condition of the scientific and illuminating branches of the glass industry, which are in the same position as the optical section and of equal importance to the nation. The manufacture of scientific glassware, practically non-existent in the country prior to 1914, was undertaken by several glass-makers at the urgent request of the Government, which, shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, discovered that the prosecution of the war was in danger of being impeded owing to the lack of supplies of these articles. The progress made in the manufacture of this apparatus has been very remarkable, especially when taking into consideration the comparatively short time it has been in existence in this country and the great difficulties with which the manufacturers had to contend. The latter have, however, succeeded in producing glass which is in many-cases superior to German or Austrian pre-war glass, although it is freely admitted that in the early days the glass produced was in some cases of extremely bad quality. This has now been remedied, and one may fairly claim that, as regards both the quality of the glass and the technique and workmanship, British-made scientific apparatus now is among the best that can be produced anywhere.