How'd They Do That?

Glass Video from Wendy Chapman on Vimeo.

Blenko Glass from Dave Briddle on Vimeo.

listen to ‘Blenko Marks’ on Audioboo

Websites for Blenko "Scavenger Hunt"

http://www.ehow.com/how_6040038_identify-blenko-glass.html


http://blenkocollectors.com/blenkocollmarks.htm

GLASS TOWN PRESENTATION

Almost my entire life (except for 5yrs in Huntington) I have lived within a 3 mile radius of  Blenko Glass.  My dad worked their for 3 years when I was small but other family members worked and retired from the factory.  I have been inside the visitors center twice in my life, but spent many a happy evening as a child outside the center feeding the ducks that inhabit the adjacent pond.  I own only a couple of pieces of Blenko given to me as wedding gifts and they are tucked away somewhere in the house so they won't be broken.  When I have on occasion traveled out of state and met others who weren't completely oblivious to the existence of  West Virginia, I have used Blenko Glass as a familiar point of reference and have come to appreciate its world renowned reputation. 

MILTON, WV
Located between Huntington and Charleston Exit 28 of Interstate 64

Glass Companies in Milton
Eureka Art Glass Company 1921-1930; colored flat glass
Blenko Glass Company 1931- still in operation; blown novelties,flat glass, art glass
Gibson Glass 1976-1977 and 1983-2006; paperweights, novelties
Osbourne Glass circa 2007-2011; giftware, novelties

Blenko Websites

http://www.blenkoproject.org/

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvcccfhr/history/blenko.htm

http://www.blenko.com/history.html




Gibson Glass Websites

http://opensalts.net/Gibson.pdf

http://mm.bglances.com/1-01-13-00%20Glass%20Artist%20-%20Charles%20Gibson.htm

Osbourne Glass Websites
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Osburn-Modern-Glass/109391635761460#!/pages/Osburn-Modern-Glass/109391635761460?id=109391635761460&sk=photos_stream

April 4, 2013

Our class will be starting a new unit that will allow us to explore the making of glass in West Virginia. The resources that West Virginia was able to offer those that wanted to develop this industry in our state were plentiful and/or cost effective. As we begin our exploration of the history and the science behind glass making, let us first look around us and see if we can find some examples of West Virginia glass in our homes. Below you will find several pictures of glassware that my family have obtained over the years. The pieces that I am showing you all come from Blenko glass company located here in our town of Milton.




What are some things that you notice about the pieces?

Do the pieces have anything in common?

What do you think the pieces were used for?

Describe some tests that you might perform on the pieces in order to collect as many observations as possible. (Your tests should not damage the samples in any way)




Develop three questions that you would like to ask about the sample glass pieces that are shown.