AS THE ANCIENTS BLEW GLASS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 February 1939, Page 7

AS THE ANCIENTS BLEW GLASS

SO THEY BLOW IT AT THE SHOW.

In a large Marquee at the Masterton Show tomorrow and Wednesday the Wonder Glass Blower is carrying on a craft as old as Christianity, ana one that had defied all mechanical mass production. One by one other crafts have disappeared before the advance of machinery but Glass Blowing remains master of the situation. The air pilot glancing at his levels which tell him how his machine is behaving, the scientist in his laboratory, the doctor in his surgery are all dependent upon the men whose art has come down to them from the days of the ancient Phoenicians. Machinery has displaced us only so far as ordinary Glassware Bottles, Jam Jars, etc., is concerned said the Glass Blower to a reporter, but as far as scientific and fancy work is concerned it cannot compete. No machine can make these —as the Glass Blower picked up a host of glass novelties. Only the human hands can make those. The Glass Blower sat at a bench and witn a quick movement of his foot set a huge flame roaring, the glass glowed red hot as the deft fingers began to twist and shape it, in and out of the flame n went, a twist here and a pull there ana the piece of common brittle glass was formed into a most fantastic piece of work of art. The tips of the Glass Blowers fingers are scorched with heat, but they have a rare delicacy of touch. The articles made by this talented artist are unique and all creations are made in full view of the audience. The glass dress is a beautiful piece of work. This exhibition will prove to be the outstanding memory of the 1939 Show.