American Scientific Glassblowing Society

Glass has truly been the Eye of Science in man’s progression of scientific discovery. In about 1500 BC, Egyptians developed methods for glass making and in 650 BC, a Syrian stone tablet was discovered and is believed to be the first glassblowing instruction manual ever published. These early developments in glassblowing techniques carried science to the forefront of discovery.

In these ancient Egyptian glass developments, medicine bottles and flasks for distillation brought on new techniques for creating and storing medicines and fragrances. Evangelista Torricelli’s glass manometer tube experiments would have been much more difficult had he not been able to see the barometric changes in his column of mercury. The development of the compound microscope in the 1600s allowed man to see, for the first time, more than he could with a naked eye. The role of glass in scientific discovery is immeasurable.

Since it’s inception in 1952, the ASGS has chronicled the development of new glassblowing techniques, procedures, and materials in the publication Fusion, Journal of the American Scientific Glassblowers Society. In much the same way as the Syrian stone tablet shared glassblowing techniques for the ages, the ASGS continues the legacy of teaching and sharing scientific glassblowing information. It is our hope that your interest in scientific glassblowing will lead you to join us in this mission of sharing technical information.

Founded in 1952 and incorporated in 1954, the American Scientific Glassblowers Society began as a professional, not-for-profit organization of scientific glassblowers and suppliers associated with the field. The objectives of the Society are to further the education of its membership through the gathering, promotion, and dissemination of technical and scientific information concerning all aspects of scientific glassblowing. Today the ASGS comprises approximately 650 members and a variety of affiliate members. Regional Sections offer local members an opportunity to meet with other glassblowers in their area. Organized and staffed with an all volunteer workforce, countless hours are dedicated to the exchange of techniques and knowledge through paper presentations, seminars, and workshops at the annual ASGS Symposium and Regional Section meetings. The publication Fusion, Journal of the American Scientific Glassblowers Society and The Proceedings of the ASGS Annual Symposium document this collection of papers and presentations. Significant emphasis by senior glassblowers is placed on the advancement of young or apprentice glassblowers through the ASGS Junior Member Training Program and the Mentor Program. These programs help assure that future generations of glassblowers will benefit from the experience of others.