By Accident or Design?

How far did the hands of Carder reach within his creation of Steuben Glass works? Was it by design or by accident that Carder’s creations glow today with a genius that manifests itself in a form of beauty and utilitarian purpose. Obviously Carder could not have been every where at once but not for a minute do I believe he did not know everybody and every process of any day at Steuben Glass Works.

I can see it as plain as day and perceive it to have taken place as something like this.. Early on a brisk cold morning Carder made a specific trip to the Glory Hole to speak to the blowers. His words would be paraphrased as follows: “Hey, they are having a problem upstairs with your pitchers draining properly. The ground stoppers are so well fitted they seem to be creating a vacuum causing them to pour painfully slow. I thought I would just come by and tell you to keep up the good work! Don’t worry about upstairs, I just told them to drill a damn hole in the lid…….”

Yes I have heard of drilled vases for lamp bases but drilled stoppers? Are you serious ???
Did Carder know these lids had a hole drilled in them?
Well, of course he did. He calculated every move he made. Little hole and all….he had it just how he wanted it. Perfect!

Stopper is cut and polished with adjustable spout flow. Vent hole drilling is unfinished with ultra miniature factory chips at point of entry. The hole is slightly smaller than the diameter of a pencil lead.

Rande Bly, Birmingham, Alabama