The importance of being glass

Glass has always been a fascinating substance. Its chemical properties alone have sparked liquid vs. solid debates for ages. The chemistry behind the colours in glass is a science as well as an art unto itself. Gold is used for imbuing glass with a bright red hue but too much or too little heat can lead to what glass artists refer to as 'baby shit brown'. We use glass in so many things that we take it for granted that it has always been around. Sure, Halfpint on Little House on the Prairie waited years for Pa to get a window installed since glass was expensive and scarce but where did glass come from?

Glass: A World History is a new book on the history of the substance we take for granted.