How Glass Changed the World

This monograph explores the history and chemistry of glass technology, tracing its origins from antiquity through its evolution into a vital material for science and society. Beginning with early synthetic silica glass production around 2500 BCE, it examines its development up through the Roman period, the transformative innovations of Venetian and Murano glassmakers, and the eventual rise of Bohemian glass. The text highlights glass’s crucial role in the development of mirrors, lenses, eyeglasses, and chemical apparatus, all of which enabled critical scientific advancements. Covering glass’s refinement up to the 18th century, this book dives into its profound impact on both chemical practices and broader societal advancements.

This volume is an updated and extended version of the author’s earlier Springer publication, How Glass Changed the World: The History and Chemistry of Glass from Antiquity to the 13th Century (2012), expanding the historical scope and deepening the analysis of glass’s transformative role in science and society.