The glassblower's most important equipment and tools

Text Randi Gaustad

The glassblower's pipe was invented by the Romans 2,000 years ago, and has since been the glassblower's most important tool. The pipe is simply a long, hollow iron or steel pipe that is used to blow air into the glass mass.

Clips of different designs and sizes are used to shape and decorate the glass in the cabin. The clips are also used when "fresh" and still warm glass is to be carried over to the cooling furnace.

The glass worker's chair is in itself a very small workshop. The chair has large, horizontal arms on which the glassblower rolls the pipe back and forth as he works. The glass blank must be in constant motion so that it does not seep out of shape.

The scoop. When the glass blank is held in motion on the arms of the chair, a scope is used to shape and cool the glass. The scoop is round in various sizes and has a handle. It is constantly in water so that it does not burn up in contact with the glass mass.

Shapes. In order for the glasses to have the same shape and size, molds are used into which the glass blank is blown. They can be made of many different kinds of materials. The most common are wood, iron or clay.

The glass is melted and heated in furnaces made of refractory materials, usually stoneware.

In the 18th century, the large round ovens were fired with wood, but when there was a shortage of wood in the 19th century, they switched to charcoal or peat. Today, electricity or gas is used.