The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-02-23
HARDENED
CHRYSTALW W ARE
A Recent Invention in Use
in Glass Factories.

A report from this consulate on the
subject of hardened glass and crystal
ware seems to have attracted much at
tention. Newspapers and magazines II
Europe and the United States have em-
phasized the Importance OF this ware
as a household requisite, and this con
sulate and the firm manufacturing the
ware have been overwhelmed with cor
respondence concerning IT. This IS al
The more surprising when 1t is consld-
cred that the manufacture or the ware
is not Of recent origin, but has gone On
for 25 wears. The term 'unbreakaDle
applied to this ware is an exaggeration.
To make unbreakable glassware Woulu
he a rare accomplishment, but 1t can De
Justly said that this ware is remarKaDie
for its power of resistance. the COM
mercial insignifcance of this commend
able article is attributed to the rather
high cost of manufacture.
The inventor OF the hardening process,
Mr.. A. de Ia Bastie, was native OF
France OF the many French firms that
entered upon the manufacture Of the
ware. none found it profitable, so that
to-day It is hardly known in the country
of its origin. Their failure is thought 70
be due 10 the attempt to manufacture
various articles the expense OF winch
precluded a ready return. The fact Is
that only few articles OF commercial
value can be made
When the process had reached the
present state of perfection, the inventor
transferred his rights for fixed royalty
to a certain manufacturer in each OF sew
eraI countries. who was to have the mo-
nopolv OF manufacture. In due time
certain articles appeared in the local
markets. but the sale never reached ex-
pectations. OF all concerns to which the
inventors rights were extended only one
remains. the Societe Anonyme des Cris-
talleries du Waist Lambert, Of Liege,
Belgium. This company has universal
reputation. and sends its products
Throughout the world. the United States
being one Of its lucrative fields. 1t em-
ploys 5000 men. thoroughly experienced
in the manufacture OF cut glass and
tableware. Its productions are Of the
finest quality. thanks TO the personnel Of
the technical departments. including q
number Of workmen specially trained in
the work Of hardening glass and giving
to Il the greatest possible resistance
which may be expected from product
which. after all is glass.
Agatine dishes (agatine Is the techni-
al term for the ware) are obtained by
the superposition Of layers Of opal glass
and clear crystal. The product is mag
nificent in appearance and Of astonish-
ing resisting power. Hardened glass
presents such difficulties OF manufacture
that only simple objects can be pro-
duced with such economy that the price
is not an obstacle TO their sale. The
consequence is that. with the exception
of a few unimportant specialties, onis
TWO articles are manufactured at the
present time These are dishes OF aga
tine and tnmblers Of hardened glass.
The writer has seen plates Of this aga
tine ware hurled from one end Of large
storeroom TO the other. over a cement
floor. without damage. This experiment
was repeated several times without the
slightest indication OF cracking or chip
ping. But the article which on account
Of its form. is the most convenient to
manufacture and which has no rival in
its powers of resistance. is the tumble1.
in all its forms and shapes. as used daily
BY millions of persons in cafes. hotels
and barrooms, II should appeal to the
proprietOrs of these. places. inasmuch
as ii is proof against the careiessness OF
walters and dishwashers. Such ware is
not usually found IN these places because
cheaper article reduces the expense Of
installation A buffet fitted up with
hardened crystal tumhlers is almost i'm
mune from the usual expensive wear
and tear" Of its glassware. The tumb-
lers can be thrown from a table or
dropped by a waiter with but a remote
possibility OF breaking-
It is surprising to note how little this
hardened crystal ware. is used. The
cause is either the ignorance OF the pub
lie as to its existence. .'urt the idea of the
merchant that selling it would reduce
The amount Of his glassware sales.
JAMES G.. ATNAI.LY