Why modern chemistry still needs glassblowers

Lots of modern chemistry research still relies on unique, hand-blown glass instruments. Step inside a scientific glassblowing workshop and see a third-generation glassblower in action.

[OdderOtter-Space]

Was lucky enough to have Mrs Roeger as an instructor for “burn and bleed” as a technical elective last spring. Extremely kind, patient, and insightful! The complex purpose made assemblies were among the most mesmerizing and beautiful objects I’ve ever gotten to see :)

[danielrodriguespinto]

This is my father's job. He is a kind of God of glass shaping. The professionals of the field say to me that he is a reference. It make very prod.
He do things to the biggest chemical company's in Brazil and abroad.
It is a very difficult task. You have to had some talent, patience and be creative and intelligent.
He say to my that it took 10 years to reach a minimum quality.

I'm very fascinated in this topic and, since I was a kid, I know that do this job well is for a very few gifted people.

[piranha]

As someone who did a lot of air-sensitive chemistry, I am absolutely indebted to my former university's glassblowers.

[VergeScience]

What other unique scientific jobs would you like us to cover?

[alicefrozenberrypink]

At 2:10 i was so scared and felt sharp tingling pain at different points in my chest by just the thought of having inhaled glass shards or get them in the eyes by blowing them in the face like that. I don't know how it works but it seems like these guys have been doing it for a long time. Thanks for some new info Verge Science

[jaskaranvisuals]

Wow, this was emotional for me to watch. I learned and practised this craft for over a year at my Grandfathers home-workshop. My family has a glassblowing background in Punjab, India, and I was raised in an environment where glass apparatus were made in the other room of our house. However, I didn't follow in the footsteps of my grandpa and my uncles and became a filmmaker instead. I miss glassblowing. I truly miss it.

[kylegeo]

As a glassblower with boro its nice to see that you are teaching the ways of glass

[catalyst]

Freshman major in chemistry. This reminds me of my hometown - glass manufacture was a prevailing industry there. How exciting it would be to see it revitalize.

[airpolygon]

Such a lovely profession! And they seem like very good people too ♥️

[michaelherron]

I very occasionally needed this sort of service. Amazing skill.

[novadirector]

I spent a day glass blowing at Sussex university, such great fun. Nice to see this video - wish I could give it another go.

[KhanPiesseONE]

This was beautifully filmed, timed, composed. Everything. This was an amazing little video, the people who make this stuff are incredible. Thank you for bringing the talent and skill of glassblowing to our attention.

[cfa]

Christie, when I grew up in Corning, NY, people were said to have "glassblower's hands, " if there was some burn scar from picking up hot glass. -- My Dad was featured on the cover of "The Gaffer, " the Corning company employee magazine, one time - rotating a chemistry lab glass project in a flame. You would relate to that. Be careful what you pick up! / Phil.

[klaudialustig]

The video does not clearly answer the question in the title :(

[zakiducky]

I didn’t even know this kind of equipment was still handmade and/or custom made. I figured like most things these days it was standardized and factory made.

[dj.mck]

I’ve never thought about where all the glassware in our uni labs comes from before - great video!

[gmcenroe]

As a now retired organic chemist I always had the utmost respect for the glassblowers. Even when I worked in pharmaceutical research lab we always had a glassblowing shop for repair work. I always tried too find work for him because I knew that if he didn't have work we wouldn't have a glassblower. Now it seems that even the companies that we bought glassware from, such as Chemglass were getting their products made in China instead of the US which was disappointing to me. I always wanted to learn how to do it but was too busy studying chemistry to have the time to learn. I hope we don't lose our glassblowers.

[hbarudi]

Need modern chemistry needs this for research and custom glassware for research purposes. It is stable job environment.

[WillOfTheWeb]

That was a great feature. I really enjoyed watching it.

[BobbyJ]

was waiting for an explanation on why modern chemistry still needs glassblowers. Is there a reason machines can't do this job?