LOF history for #TBT

Back in the day, if you wanted the good stuff when it came to glass and glazing you would call LOF. How do I know? Talk to anyone from the old days or read almost any history book about the industry.

• 1918 - A little-known glass company called NSG from Japan was looking to invest in some glass technology. Learned some info on the Colburn process and brought sheet glass back to Japan along with some LOF engineering help.
• 1928 - General Motors is looking for ways to reduce the severity of accidents related to plate glass vehicle windows (yes, it was a thing). Who did they call? A division of LOF in Toledo started making the first laminated windshields for US vehicles. Single source supply to GM for vehicle glazing for ~30 years as a result.
• 1931 - The Empire State Building in NYC became the tallest building at the time. Who do you call for windows to withstand the elevation and wind load? You guessed it.
• 1939 - Admiral Byrd takes a little expedition to the South Pole. Wants to install triple-glazed windows that could withstand a 150°F temperature differential from inside to outside. Want to see that leopard seal before you open the door but still be toasty warm when you sleep? Triple-glazed Thermopane to the rescue.
• 1941 - Dept. of Defense needs someone to help with the Office of Production Management to assist in the sourcing of US production materials in support of WWII. Calls in LOF president John Biggers to support the effort and lead. Biggers ultimately helps make the case for Willys Overland to be the producer of Jeep vehicles for the US, sourced with LOF glass.
• 1942 - LOF gets the first patent on chlorine-doped tin oxide to help fighter planes reduce condensation at elevation. The first use of Low-e. The patent was granted to Harold McMaster who went on to create a few other things in the world of glass and technology.
• 1951 - The original copy of the Declaration of Independence needs to be protected. Double-glazed Thermopane was used to protect the document and minimize any atmospheric issues on degradation.

The list goes on and on. First to produce a wide, wide variety of products. Launched multiple spin-offs in aeronautics, optical glass, and plastics. You name it and LOF probably had a division at one point. The Varitran coating equipment in the 1970s was the second largest magnetron coating equipment in the world - outside of NASA. Hard coating inventions, self-cleaning glass, heated glazing, anti-reflective coatings - If you wanted something made with integrity, quality, and innovation, you called LOF.

That spirit of engineering, quality, and innovation is still deeply embedded in the DNA of the group. That is how the organization was built and still exists today. If you are looking for something interesting, technically challenging, and backed by scientific evidence, then you have come to the right place. The history often gets lost over time and I love passing on the info I've picked up over the years to our employees. These stories and knowledge help maintain the history and tradition. If you are still looking for the good-good in glass and glazing, reach out anytime.