Listen and answer questions 31–40.
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Origins of Glass
• Glass occurs naturally.
• Volcanic glass (Obsidian) was used by prehistoric people to make cutting .
• The first man-made glass was produced in the region of Mesopotamia.
• Initially, it was used only to create small objects like .
The Roman Empire
• The Romans introduced the technique of glass .
• This allowed for the mass production of glass containers.
• The Romans were the first to use glass for in architecture, although the glass was not perfectly clear.
Glass in the Middle Ages (Venice)
• Venice became the centre of the glass industry.
• Glassmakers were forced to move their workshops to an called Murano.
• Reasons for moving:
• To protect trade secrets.
• To reduce the risk of in the city.
Modern Glass Production
• 1959: Alastair Pilkington invented the “Float Glass” process.
• Method: Molten glass is floated on top of molten .
• Benefit: This eliminated the need for the glass surface, making it cheaper.
Sustainability and the Future
• Recycling glass uses significantly less than producing new glass.
• Scientists are investigating using crushed glass as a substitute for sand in production.
