Chapter 03 of 5
The Secrets of Murano
The hunt for 'cristallo' and the battle against iron impurities.
- Innovation Hub
The Island of Glass
In 1291, Venice ordered all glassmakers to move to the island of Murano. While officially to prevent fires, it also served to guard lucrative trade secrets.
- The Impurity Problem
The Green Tint
Early glass was rarely clear. Trace amounts of iron oxide in sand naturally dyed glass a dull forest green or murky brown.
- Material Quest
Seeking Clarity
Medieval glass was translucent at best. The race was on to create a material as clear as rock crystal, which was highly prized and expensive.
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Why did Murano glassmakers add manganese dioxide to their molten glass mixture?
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💎 Is Glass Really a Liquid?
- 01The Liquid MythDebunking the 'slow-flowing' glass theory through molecular reality.
- 02Obsidian to FluxFrom volcanic glass to the chemistry of Roman natron.
- 03The Secrets of MuranoThe hunt for 'cristallo' and the battle against iron impurities.
- 04Stress and StrengthUnderstanding Prince Rupert’s drops and tempered toughness.
- 05The Float and the FiberModern breakthroughs from molten tin to light-speed data.