Libbey Glass Manufacturing Co.

Dates

• Existence: 1818 (date of establishment)
• Usage: 1993 (date of establishment)
• Usage: 1818 (date of establishment) - 1888 (date of name change) - 1888

Biography

Founded in 1818 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the New England Glass Company experienced several name changes thoughout its long history and eventually be known as Libbey Inc. (1993). One of the oldest glass manufacturers in the country, it moved in 1888 from Cambridge to Toledo, Ohio, and changed its name to Libbey Glass Company. It produced blown and pressed glass in a variety of colors, many of which were engraved, etched or cut.

Libbey was one of the largest and most respected glass companies in the United States in the middle of the nineteenth century. After experiencing some setbacks afer the Civil War due to competition from West Virginia glass companies, Libbey moved to Toledo and became part of Libbey-Owens-Ford for a number of years. Libbey worked with Ford Motor Company to produce automotive glass and with the Owens Bottle Machine Company to automate glass production. The ability to adapt and expand into growing industries helped Libbey remain profitable through the twentieth century.

In 2020, however, Libbey Inc. suffered severe losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filed for bankruptcy.

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