Every day, humanity enjoys the fruits of laborglass production workers. Now the material has become commonplace and common, and, buying a regular piece of utensils made of glass, no one is surprised, and admiration is caused only by a fine, highly artistic work. It is hard to imagine that once, instead of the usual flat glass, the windows of ordinary people were covered by a bull bubble or leather burbot. Mica windows were the height of luxury and envy, not to mention the glassware, which was worth its weight in gold. The ancient masters sometimes had to pay for the secrets of making such familiar glass for their own lives.
In Russia, the professional holiday glaziers It does not accidentally have a date of November 19, because this is the dayBirth of Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov, the greatest Russian scientist. He managed to create a unique technology of porcelain mass and multi-colored smalt, which was used to create a variety of mosaic paintings. Applauding to the outstanding Russian scientist, since 2000, the Glass Industry Day celebrate his birthday.
Another primitive man used glassof natural origin, making simple tools and tools from obsidian and tektites, tips for arrows and spears, knives, scrapers and choppers. It is believed that the receipt of glass, like many other discoveries, happened by chance, and we owe this to those distant ancestors who were preparing a hearth in sand pits for cooking and burning pottery. The temperature during the burning of wood and straw was sufficient for the sand to begin to melt. He mixed with ash, forming a glassy mass. This is evidenced by clay pots found on the sites of ancient settlements with glaze elements on the sides and on the bottom.
Glass products found duringarchaeological excavations in Egypt and southern Iraq suggest that the Sumerians and the ancient Egyptians more than five thousand years ago possessed the art of making ornaments and mosaics of glass. Creations of ancient masters differed special grace, but were not transparent.
Glassmaking has received a great impetus to the development ofRoman times. Glass products have become an excellent product for trade, which has a beneficial effect on the development of its production. Alexandria, under the Roman protectorate, became the main center for glass production at that time. Masters were able to achieve transparency in the manufacture of glass, adding manganese oxide to ancient Egyptian recipes. The discovery, made on that distant day, can claim the title "Day of the glass industry of antiquity".
Glass began to be widely used in architecture:The era of stained glass windows began. In the Middle Ages, European masters mastered the production of sheet glass. They blew out a hollow rectangular shape, and then cut and rolled it, getting flat sheets.
A huge contribution to the development of glass making madeVenetian masters. They used in their work all the latest technology of the time. The concept of "Venetian glass" appeared, which in itself spoke about the quality and demand for these products. The secrets of making glass were strictly protected, therefore foreign workers were strictly forbidden to hire. Later, all the main production was transferred to the island of Murano. To this day, visiting Italy, tourists are trying to purchase products from the famous Murano glass.
Archaeological excavations suggest that the art of glassmaking was well known to the masters of Kievan Rus, but this craft, like many others, was lost after the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols.
Day of the glass industry worker was still far from approval, but in 1630A glass factory appeared in the village of Dukhanino near Moscow, and in 1669, production of glass for palace needs began at the Izmailov plant. Great Peter invites the best European masters, and the glass case in Russia begins to develop rapidly. A lot of state-owned and private enterprises producing glass appear, and Russian mothers are a serious competitor to Europe.
Of course, Day of the glass industry worker then it was not noted, but our craftsmen did not become fromthis work less and completely mastered the ancient art. The famous creators of the diamond pattern in the form of plants and the frosty pattern of the Zubanov glorified the glass case of Russia. And the city of Gus-Crystal is becoming a symbol and pride of Russian crystal production.
Nowadays, this industry is developing highat a pace. Produced and mastered a variety of products, the annual increase in own production ranges from 10 to 12%. According to expert estimates, the domestic glass industry is successfully developing and is an important component of the country's economic potential. The day of the glass industry worker is celebrated at enterprises with ceremonial events and concerts; it is celebrated by all people whose professions are somehow connected with glass.
On November 19, the exhibition devoted to the art of glassblowers is held in St. Petersburg. People from different parts of the country come to see their excellent work.
We know when the Glass Industry Day celebrated in Russia, and heartily congratulate our modern masters on their professional holiday.
