COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 327212

Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1836–1947founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedVilleroy & Boch AGFoundedVilleroy & Boch AG
1836
FoundedWürttembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF)FoundedWürttembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF)
1853
FoundedRoyal Doulton plcFoundedRoyal Doulton plc
1854
FoundedCarl-Zeiss-StiftungFoundedCarl-Zeiss-Stiftung
1889
FoundedPilkington plcFoundedPilkington plc
1894
FoundedNewell Rubbermaid Inc.FoundedNewell Rubbermaid Inc.
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedBodum Design Group AGFoundedBodum Design Group AG
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedWaterford Wedgwood plcFoundedWaterford Wedgwood plc
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Villeroy & Boch AG →
Active · founded 1836 · Germany
Villeroy & Boch AG has been one of Europe's top names in household and architectural ceramic goods for more than 250…
Villeroy & Boch AG →
Active · founded 1836 · Germany
Villeroy & Boch AG has been one of Europe's top names in household and architectural ceramic goods for more than 250…
Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF) →
Active · founded 1853 · Germany
Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial coffee makers and…
Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF) →
Active · founded 1853 · Germany
Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial coffee makers and…
Royal Doulton plc →
Active · founded 1854 · United Kingdom
Royal Doulton plc is one of the world's best-known fine china companies, designing and producing high-quality tableware…
Royal Doulton plc →
Active · founded 1854 · United Kingdom
Royal Doulton plc is one of the world's best-known fine china companies, designing and producing high-quality tableware…
Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung →
Active · founded 1889 · Germany
The Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, a 'juridical person' under German civil law, is the sole owner of two industrial enterprises,…
Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung →
Active · founded 1889 · Germany
The Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, a 'juridical person' under German civil law, is the sole owner of two industrial enterprises,…
Pilkington plc →
Active · founded 1894 · United Kingdom
Pilkington plc is one of the largest glassmakers in the world, specializing in the flat glass and safety glass sectors.
Pilkington plc →
Active · founded 1894 · United Kingdom
Pilkington plc is one of the largest glassmakers in the world, specializing in the flat glass and safety glass sectors.
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
c.
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. →
Active · founded 1902
c.
Bodum Design Group AG →
Active · founded 1944 · Switzerland
1960s:Bodum launches variations on the Santos.
Bodum Design Group AG →
Active · founded 1944 · Switzerland
1960s:Bodum launches variations on the Santos.
Waterford Wedgwood plc →
Defunct · founded 1947 · Ireland
1760s:Wedgwood creates a uniquely cream-colored earthenware, which becomes known as 'Queen's Ware.' 1769: A factory is…
Waterford Wedgwood plc →
Defunct · founded 1947 · Ireland
1760s:Wedgwood creates a uniquely cream-colored earthenware, which becomes known as 'Queen's Ware.' 1769: A factory is…
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