Glass

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It is the neon sign that blinks on the edge of our consciousness; the delicate windowpanes of a centuries-old farmhouse; the airy adornment of high-rise architects and playful distractions of daydreaming schoolchildren. This magical substance formed of sand and fire has done much more than beautify: it has transformed how we live. The author takes readers on an entertaining journey of ingenuity and discovery, from the ancient shores of Phoenicia to the crystal factories of Waterford, which have recently embraced the computer age. With prose as crystalline as his subject, the author celebrates glass's versatility and functionality, explaining how a substance known to all but understood by few has been shaped to serve mankind in countless ways. Readers will learn how glass has influenced and been influenced by humanity's changing relationship with the environment; how it has brought vision to the sight-deprived; and how it enters the twenty-first century with limitless possibilities. With grace, charm, and authority, this exploration delves into history, invention, manufacturing, fine art, and the many forms of this adaptable material. From visiting glass artist Dale Chihuly to examining the creation of a twenty-ton telescopic mirror, this narrative offers a multifaceted vision of a material eternally destined to die and be reborn in a constantly changing world.