MemKpr

Acid-etched glass is formally a decoration process that is produced by covering the glass with an acid resistant substance such as wax, through which the design is than scratched into the piece.  The vessel or sculpture is then submerged into hydrofluoric acid and a matte surface is created in the un-waxed design area.

The process of acid-etched glass was first developed on a commercial scale by Richardson's of Sturbridge, England, who registered a patent in 1857.

SANDBLASTING
Invented by a real, American Hero

Benjamin Chew Tilghman around 1870, invented the Sandblasting process and filed a patent for it in the US (US patent 108,408.), detailing many of the applications for which this technique is uniquely suited, such as sharpening files, engraving bottles, cleaning boilers or bringing out the grain in wood.

Whether it be George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Teddy Roosevelt, or Jim Thorpe, Americans have always been fascinated by a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.

Benjamin Chew Tilghman, can be readily included in that list. As a native of the great state of Pennsylvania, Tilghman attended Bristol College and, later, the University of Pennsylvania.

Receiving his degree in law, Tilghman never practiced because, apparently, he had several other really cool things that needed doing.

Prior to the Civil War, Tilghman was first and foremost a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Having journeyed through Europe and much of the then United States, the weary-worn traveler took needed rests in various factories and laboratories where he offered his brainpower free-of-charge: so long as he could further stimulate his mind.

After the war broke out, Tilghman volunteered in the 26th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. Entering the Army as a captain, he sustained a severe wound during the Battle of Chancellorsvile in 1863, culminating in his promotion to Colonel and Commander of the 3rd United States Colored Troops.

Two years later, Tilghman was promoted to Brigadier General for "meritorious services".

The Tilghman Sandblast Machine

In 1871, the American Institute of the City of New York awarded him the Great Medal of Honor for the invention  following this, he was given the Elliot Cresson Medal for the invention by the Franklin Institute.

In his off-time, Tilghman invented a stone-cutter, the sulfite method of paper production from wood pulp, and had founded several companies in both the United States and Great Britain.

His company Tilghman Wheelabrator is still operating.

SANDBLAST GLASS DECORATING

Sandblast decorating on glass eliminated the wax and acid process and allowed for faster manufacturing of designs on glass surfaces.

 

Early stencils allowed for writing on glass surfaces but exact business logo's could not be duplicated.  All fonts had to allow for bridges to hold the letters to the stencil masking material.

Stencil letters such as A's, B's, D's, O's, P's, Q's, and R's.  Logo's could not be blasted without bridges.

 

 

GRANITE BLASTING

 

If stencils would allow etching on glass, why not rubber cement 20 mil thick rubber masking onto polished granite, trace names, dates and designs, then cut out the letters and design and blast? Eliminating chisel stone carving used for centuries.

 

View the Traditional Sandblasting video on the upper left, to see the current method of using a computer plotter cutter to create the mask.  No lettering below 1/2 inch can be cut.

In the 1970's using the same type rubber stencils and blasting technique, not on stone but wood created a totally new signage look.

THE RAYZIST PHOTOMASK PROCESS

Had it not been for an old sign painter friend of Ray's back in 1973 needing 50 menu paddles to match the brand new outdoor redwood sign blasted for the Jeremiah's  Steakhouse in Phoenix, AZ Photomasking may never have been invented.   No pictures are still available to show the blasted redwood signage or paddles, but this remaining 

redwood wall hanging was created right after delivery of the menu paddles along with other blasted designs to see if there was any interest for them.  Sad to say the furniture market nor any other industry back in 1973 had any interest or need for redwood blasted designs.

 

Over the next six years Ray Zukowski would not give up on his sandblast discovery and continued his work as art director within the Exhibit Trade Show Industry in the Washington, DC and New York areas.

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