Quite recently a Pittsburg glass firm has succeeded, to a notable
degree, in producing glass threads of sufficient fineness and elasticity
to permit of their being woven into fabrics of novel character and
quality. Their success is such as to warrant the assumption that
garments of pure glass, glistening and imperishable, are among the
possibilities of the near future. The spinning of glass threads of
extreme fineness is not a new process, but, as carried on at present by
the firm in question--Messrs. Atterbury & Co.--possesses considerable
interest. From a quality of glass similar to that from which table ware
is made, rods of glass averaging half an inch in diameter are drawn to
any desired length and of various colors. These rods are then so placed
that the flame of two gas burners is blown against that end of the rod
pointed toward the large "spinning" wheel. The latter is 81/2 feet in
diameter, and turns at the rate of 300 revolutions per minute. The
flames, having played upon the end of the glass cylinder until a melting
heat is attained, a thread of glass is drawn from the rod and affixed to
the periphery of the wheel, whose face is about 12 inches wide. Motion
is then communicated, and the crystal thread is drawn from between the
gas jets and wrapped upon the wheel at the rate of about 7,500 feet per
minute. A higher speed results in a finer filament of glass, and vice
versa. During its passage from the flame to the wheel, a distance of
five or six feet, the thread has become cooled, and yet its elasticity
is preserved to a notable degree. The next step in the process consists
in the removal of the layers of threads from the wheel. This is easily
accomplished, and after being cut to the desired lengths, the filaments
are woven in a loom somewhat similar to that used in weaving silken
goods. Until within the past few weeks only the woof of the fabric was
of glass, but at present both warp and woof are in crystal. Samples of
this cloth have been forwarded to New York and to Chicago, and the
manufacturers claim to be able to duplicate in colors, texture, etc.,
any garments sent them. A tablecloth of glass recently completed shines
with a satiny, opalescent luster by day, and under gaslight shows
remarkable beauty. Imitation plumes, in opal, ruby, pale green, and
other hues, are also constructed of these threads, and are wonderfully
pretty. The chief obstacle yet to surmount seems to lie in the
manipulation of t