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Based in the Firhill district, it is unknown at this stage when the Glasgow Plate Glass Co. was first formed, or when it first started producing rolled-plate-glass. However, by the late 19th century, it was important enough for Chance Brothers to become interested in it. ©2008 David Encill We would welcome any additional information on this company, please post in forum or contact David who will add to the article with a credit to you. |
The First Overtures?In 1895, the first overtures were made by Chance Brothers to the Glasgow Plate Glass Co. with a view to the outright purchase of this firm. Although these negotiations fell through, it was not until 1907, some twelve years later, that Chance managed to secure the purchase of this plant. Fibreglass
For some time the Firhill plant in Glasgow had been under-producing and was not proving effective. Chance decided to redevelop the factory in 1930 to handle a new product and eventually decided on an invention developed by a Dr. Pollak in Vienna just before the outbreak of World War I, to create ultra-fine glass threads that could be used for a variety of purposes, including insulation. The name of the product was glass fibre. Chance saw great potential in this process and invested £2,000, plus the payment of royalties, for the exclusive rights to sell in Britain and the British Empire. Initial attempts to produce fibreglass (as it became known) did not prove wholly satisfactory: the process required molten glass to be forced through fine pinholes placed in a cullet. The resulting threads were then stretched and attached to a large revolving drum that would automatically wind the fibre in. The problem occurred if any thread broke it caused molten glass to ooze from the hole, necessitating a very close watch on the machinery. Additionally, the hole in the cullet would enlarge over time meaning the fibre widths were inconsistent. An improved process came from the US-based company, Owen-Illinois Glass Co., which eliminated these problems, but it was not until 1935 that Chance finally signed a license agreement and another two years passed before the works had been extended to accommodate the new plant. During this time Pilkingtons became involved with Chance in setting up a new company to exploit all uses of fibreglass; Glass Fibres Ltd. was formed in 1938 and although Chance were major shareholders, with Pilkingtons buying up their general company shares, they gradually assumed total control anyway. Another company were originally involved, called Turner and Newall, who was already producing glass fibre silk, but they eventually became selling agents for the new company. Chance’s last act would appear to be a patent dated 1938, where they improved upon Alfred Forster’s original specification (of Owens-Illinois Glass Co.) to create glass fibre matting. Following the World War II, the plant continued making fibreglass and rolled-plate-glass, but the plant was finally closed by Pilkington in around 1964. David Encill |
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