THE ROLE of ‘Women in the Glass Industry’ will be the subject of the first Bromsgrove Society Local History Talk of 2022 at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 17, on Zoom.
Outreach presenter and tour guide for Dudley Museum Service Dr Kate Round will give a revealing account of changing attitudes and the struggles between unions, management and workers to allow women to do ‘men’s work’.
Within those hot working factory conditions, it was said the only limitation to the glass-blower’s art was ‘‘he strength in his arm’ and the hot shops were considered an all-male environment where women were not allowed.
Archive sources and ladies who worked in the glass industry have helped to uncover a fascinating account of this ‘glass ceiling’ covering the 1860s to the present day.
Kate’s interests include the historical development of the industry in Stourbridge and how the geology and geography impacted on the wealth and sociology of the area driven by the rivalries within the Glass Dynasties.
Kate has worked as a research chemist and lecturer and understands the chemistry of glass having worked on the synthesis of ‘zeolites’ (silica based materials) with her work published in international journals.
The White House Cone Glass Museum in Stourbridge is custodian of many thousands of pieces of glassware reflecting the skills and artistry of glassblowers, designers, and decorators in the area for over 400 years including world-renowned makers as Richardson’s, Stuart Crystal, Royal Brierley Crystal and Webb Corbett’s.
Visit bsoc.co.uk to join the free talk.
