W
Wendy
Guest
Robert L Chance (1782-1865) purchased with his brother William Chance (d 1856) a glass manufactory in Smethwick, in 1830. They were the first in Britain to establish the manufacture of sheet glass. The company supplied all the glass for The Crystal Palace. Two of his sons R.L.Chance (1821-1897) and John Homer Chance (1827-1900) became parteners in the firm in 1846 and 1853 respectively. Chanc glass were the inovators in producing optical glass and they supplied the glass for light houses.
In 1862 the company moved the Chemical side of the company to Oldbury in Worcester. The huge chimneys were typical of alkali works, they were built to release hydraulic acid fumes which were produced in the manufacturing process into the upper atmosphere and defuse there poluting effects, the attempt was not successful and led chemical manufacturers to develope means of condensing acid vapor before releasing fumes into the air
Chance glass was well known in the 60's and 70's for their glass ware like the handkercheif vase.
Some of the Chance family are buried at Key Hill Cemetery.
In 1862 the company moved the Chemical side of the company to Oldbury in Worcester. The huge chimneys were typical of alkali works, they were built to release hydraulic acid fumes which were produced in the manufacturing process into the upper atmosphere and defuse there poluting effects, the attempt was not successful and led chemical manufacturers to develope means of condensing acid vapor before releasing fumes into the air
Chance glass was well known in the 60's and 70's for their glass ware like the handkercheif vase.
Some of the Chance family are buried at Key Hill Cemetery.