By Annette Holzworth

1. What is the difference between “hard” glass and “soft” glass?

Today’s flameworkers call borosilicate glass “hard” glass as opposed to soda lime glass, which is called “soft” glass. Flameworking (also called lampworking) can be done with both, but only borosilicate glass is used to create pieces in large scale.

2. Where was hard glass invented and how was it originally used?

Borosilicate glass was invented in Germany by Otto Schott in the late 1880’s. Its low thermal expansion coefficient made it ideal for outdoor use. Corning Glassworks made its first fortune in developing this glass for use in railroad lanterns, and then made a second fortune in developing it for us in Pyrex housewares.

3. What artist first saw the creative possibilities of using hard glass to make art?

Vira Liskova from Czechoslovakia (1924 – 1985) was the first artist to use borosilicate glass to create large scale flameworked sculpture. Ginny Ruffner was the first American artist to use the material.

Information from article by Tina Oldknow, Corning Museum of Glass (2002)