Tumbler 1882 - 1887

This tumbler was made from glass by Hobbs, Brockunier and Company, sometime between 1863 and 1891. It reflects the growing industrialization of glass production in the United States. During the late 19th century, companies like Hobbs, Brockunier and Company mass-produced glassware using new technologies. This made decorative items affordable for the rising middle class. The "tumbler," a simple drinking glass, became a staple in American households, symbolizing a shift towards consumerism and domestic comfort. Looking at the tumbler’s design, we see the imprint of industrial processes. The regular pattern of raised circles speaks to the mechanization of glassmaking, where molds and machines replicated designs efficiently. The historian can use company records and trade catalogs to trace the tumbler’s design, production, and distribution. We begin to understand the social and economic forces that shaped not only the object but the culture of its time.