Glass Blowing

The very first question that comes into our minds is "what is glass blowing?"

It is merely a technique in which glass is being formed, which includes the inflation of molten glass into the shape of bubbles with a blowpipe. Usually, a person who performs such activities is known as a glassblower. 

Using this technique, multiple glassware is formed that is designed into different shapes and colors. You can use them for decoration purposes or whatever you like. Here in this article, we will discuss each aspect related to glass blowing.

Invented by:

Syrian Craftsmen invented the process of glassblowing in Sidon, Aleppo, Palmyra, and Hama. Daily, decorative, and impressive luxurious glass pieces are produced for the Roman Empire's business.  

Purpose

Humans have used it since the 1st Century; using this approach, beautiful shapes are given to glasses. In this method, a blowpipe is used to form bubbles into the inflating molten glass. You can mold it any shape you want, both for decorative, practical, and artistic purposes. 

Glassblowing Facts

Everything comes up with some facts, attributes, and qualities. Just like this glassblowing approach, do have some points which you need to know:

1. You have to blow a smaller breath of air for the process of blowing glass. 
2. Most people don't inhale through a blowpipe because they thought it would cause pain for them if they inhale. But let me clarify to you that there is no danger in doing that. You can inhale it. 
3. Like glassblowing, another technique of lamp working is also used for artistic purposes, which is kept as a secret by Italians. Don't get shocked after knowing that this method is being used since the 1600s. 
4. The temperature of the glass that is molten is 2,100°F.

Importance of Glassblowing

• It is essential if we see it from the view of scientific purposes. It plays a significant role in developing many innovative and creative inventions like the bulb, TV, etc. 
• It is still essential today because it is used as advanced fiber optics, electrochemical cells, and semiconductors. 

Techniques 

• The first glass is put into a furnace where it is heated up to 2000 degrees to make it ductile. 
• The second step is a bit difficult, but you need to focus on your work, and you can do it. Using the one end of the blowpipe, a glass is assembled into the furnace; now, you have to roll it over the molten glass till a "gob" attaches to it.  

Pros and Cons of Glassblowing

Let's have a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this technique:

Pros:

1. You can select it as your career.
2. It is a very creative and beautiful skill. You just need to practice it, and you will become a master of it.
3. Suitable for artistic purposes.
4. It is a very stable job that you can easily rely on.

Cons:

Just like the pros, there are some cons of glassblowing. Let's see what those are:

1. If you are a beginner and don't have the proper skill, then you may suffer burns.
2. Working consistently near the furnace gives you burning commotion, and also, your skin gets red. 
3. People who have breathing problems may suffer serious health problems like cancer. So it not suitable for those. 
4. On the other hand, it is also bad for the lungs causing lung cancer.

Tools for Glassblowing

The primary tools used by a glassblower are the 

• Blowpipe
• punty 
• mandrel
• bench
• marver
• blocks
• jacks
• paddles
• tweezers
• newspaper pads
• variety of shears