Science Popularization: The Magical and Sacred Glassware—The Origin and Development of Glass
When it comes to glass, people often associate it with beauty, using poetic and dreamy language: its crystal-clear transparency refracts the world’s brilliance, captivating and enchanting all who behold it; like morning dew glistening in the light, it is not merely the garment of windows but also the magician of light and shadow, reflecting the beauty of all things; glass is like you, holding endless stories and purity within its essence… Yet, with a gentle touch, its water-like texture reveals a transparent body filled with countless tales.
Next, let’s explore the everyday glass products that accompany us in our daily lives.
The Origin and Development of Glass
As one of the earliest utensils, packaging materials, and decorative materials in human society, glass has a history of over 5,000 years on Earth, closely intertwined with the development of human civilization. As early as 3700 BCE, the ancient Egyptians had already crafted glass ornaments and simple glass vessels. According to historical records, the emergence and use of glass in China began during the Western Zhou Dynasty, more than 3,000 years ago. It was referred to by various names, such as “璆琳琅玕” (qiú lín láng gān), “琉琳” (liú lín), “陆离” (lù lí), “陆琳” (lù lín), “流离” (liú lí), and “玻瓈” (bō lí). After the Warring States period, imitation jade inlaid glass became widespread, and its names were often associated with the character “玉” (jade), such as “五色玉” (wǔ sè yù, multicolored jade), “水玉” (shuǐ yù, water jade), “药玉” (yào yù, medicinal jade), “瓘玉” (guàn yù, ceremonial jade), “罐子玉” (guàn zǐ yù, jar jade), and “假玉” (jiǎ yù, fake jade). Later, the term “琉璃” (liú lí) became more commonly used.
Glass products have played an irreplaceable role in the history of scientific development. Their unique physical and chemical properties have made them a “universal material” in laboratories. From the emergence of modern science in the 17th century to the present day, the evolution of glassware has almost mirrored the history of scientific development at the microscopic level.
In modern society, glass has continuously contributed to the progress of human civilization. From optical glass lenses used in telescopes for space exploration to fiberglass for information transmission, and from the light-source glass in Edison’s light bulb, the importance of glass materials is evident. Today, glass is widely used in architecture, daily necessities, healthcare, chemistry, electronics, instrumentation, aerospace, nuclear engineering, and many other fields, permeating every aspect of our lives. In the traditional consumer goods sector, glass materials offer practical utility, such as glass bottles and jars (packaging), glassware (water vessels, drinkware, tableware, kitchenware, etc.), glass insulated containers, laboratory glassware, glass crafts, crystal glass and artworks, and decorative glass. These products not only provide safe and healthy daily necessities but also add aesthetic appeal and charm to our lives. In the electronics consumer sector, the superior properties of glass materials are essential for the devices we use today, such as smartphones, computers, LCD TVs, and LED lighting. In the field of pharmaceutical packaging, glass is closely related to our health. In the development of new energy and even national defense, glass materials are indispensable. From photovoltaic glass for solar power generation to energy-saving architectural glass, from automotive display glass and vehicle glass to bulletproof glass, vacuum glass, and wire-mesh shielding glass, glass materials play an irreplaceable role in numerous specialized fields.
The history of glass is, in fact, a testament to the continuous advancement of human wisdom. Over its 5,000 years of use, glass has coexisted and mutually progressed with human society, becoming a widely recognized green, environmentally friendly, and recyclable material. Almost every development and progress in human society has involved glass materials. As Nobel Prize-winning physicist Percy Bridgman once said, “Without glass, we might still be groping in the dark to understand the nature of matter.” It can be said that without glass, modern civilization would not exist.
