A Brief History of Colonial American Glassblowing

In 1608, the first factory in America --- a glass factory --- was constructed in the Virginia colony of Jamestown. Its backers included Captain John Smith, the London Company in England, and even King James I. Sadly, the venture was doomed from the start. Most of the colonists were stylish gentlemen who refused to work, and the Indians offered no help. Besides, glass bottles were hardly a necessity for colonists in America. So the young country's first factory closed in 1609. But the London Company did not give up. In 1621, another glass factory was opened at Jamestown.

This time, the sponsors decided that the factory's products would include glass beads to trade with the Indians. But only Italian glassmen were experienced in the art of beadmaking. So, in spite of huge risks, eight Italian glassmakers were smuggled out of Venice and taken to the colony.

In 1622, Jamestown was attacked by the Indians and most of the inhabitants were massacred. But the factory was spared because the Indians wished the glassmakers to continue producing beads. Nevertheless, the venture failed yet again.

Eventually, other small glassmaking facilities were opened in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. But it was not until 1739 that glassmaking became a full-fledged industry in America. By the time of the Revolution, America glass was famous for its quality throughout the world.