It is quite difficult to find at least one family in the expanses of the former Soviet Union that would not keep a couple, or even more, faceted glasses in their cabinets in the kitchen. This piece of utensil is one of the symbols of that distant era. At present, most no longer use them, but the hand does not rise to throw away. The history of faceted glass, who invented it, when - all this information is covered in secrets and legends. In the article we will try to figure it all out.
Legends about the origin of faceted glass
Many items and things of the Soviet era have a lot of legends about their origin. This was not bypassed by the well-known faceted glass. The history of its creation is shrouded in many legends. Here are just a few of them that are walking around his appearance.
- Everyone knows the name of the muralist Vera Mukhina. This is the same master who designed the sculpture "Worker and Collective Farm Girl". So, according to one of the legends, it was she who invented the faceted glass. It is believed that her beloved husband helped her in this, who liked to skip a glass or two for long evenings.alcoholic drink.
- Many are inclined to the version according to which the Soviet engineer Nikolai Slavyanov put his hand to the invention of the faceted glass. He was a master of mining, then became a professor of geology. Among his friends and acquaintances, he is known for discoveries in the field of arc welding and sealing of castings using electricity. It is to his merits that the high level of development of the metallurgical industry in the Soviet era is attributed. Initially, Slavyanov suggested making a glass from metal, and the options contained sketches of products with 10, 20 and 30 faces. It was only later that Mukhina suggested releasing such a glass in glass form.
- Another legend explains where the faceted glass came from. The history of its creation is connected with the times of Peter the Great. One Vladimir glassmaker, Efim Smolin, presented the tsar with such a glass as a gift, with assurances that it was almost impossible to break it. Peter drank wine from it and threw it on the ground, uttering the words: "There will be a glass." But, unfortunately, the glass broke. However, the ruler did not show his anger. Since then, there has been a tradition of breaking dishes during the feast.
Where did the word "glass" come from
Not only is the history of the faceted glass quite vague and controversial, but the very name of the object has several opinions about its origin.
From historical information it is known that in the 17th century there was a dish that was made from ground small boards connected by rings, and it was called “dosakany”. Many believe that the name of the facetedglasses.
According to another version, the word is of Turkic origin, in this language such words as "dastarkhan", meaning a festive table, and "tustygan" - a bowl were in use. From the combination of these two words, the name of the glass arose, which they began to use.
The first Soviet glass
The history of faceted glass in Russia begins in 1943, when the first representative of the army of glasses left the assembly line of the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny. Many believe that this form is not just an artist's fantasy, but a necessity.
It turns out that even in those distant times, the first dishwashers appeared, which could only perform their functions when dishes of a certain shape and size were immersed in them. So I had to produce a glass with edges, not round walls.
The appearance of a "foreigner" in Russia
According to historical information, in 1943, not the first representative of faceted glasses came off the assembly line of the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny, but an updated old one. The history of the faceted glass (16 faces) claims that it appeared quite a long time ago.
This dish was invented not in the USSR, but in Russia, in the 17th century. The evidence of this is the exhibits stored in the Hermitage.
Confirm the antiquity of the origin of the glasses and the mention in the special army doctrine, which was published by Paul I at the end of the 18th century. At that time, the monarch was trying to reform the army, which was far from full combat readiness, and ordered with a faceted glasslimit the daily dose of wine that soldiers in the army relied on.
There is an opinion that the history of faceted glass is not connected with Russia at all. An excellent confirmation of this is a painting by Diego Velascas called "Breakfast".
On the table you can also see a faceted glass, only the edges are not vertical, but slightly arched. If you look at the time of painting, and this was in 1617-1618, then it can be said with confidence that the faceted glass, its history is not connected with Russia at all, but with abroad.
This fact is confirmed by the fact that the method of making glasses that was used in the USSR was invented only in 1820 - the pressing method. Production using this technology was launched already in the middle of the 19th century, and it came to Russia only in the 20th century.
What is the secret of the high strength of the glass?
Soviet faceted glasses not only had a comfortable shape and did not slip in the hand, but were also very durable. This was achieved by a decent wall thickness, as well as the use of special technologies.
The raw materials for making glass for faceted glasses were boiled at a huge temperature in the range of 1400-1600 degrees, then the process of firing and cutting was carried out using special technologies. There was a period of time when lead, which is commonly used in the manufacture of crystal glassware, was added to the mix to increase strength.
Production of faceted glasses
Glass factories began to produce glasses of different sizesand having a different number of faces. The volume could vary from 50 ml to 250, and the faces were from 8 to 14.
The classic history of faceted glass considers a product with a volume of 250 ml and having 10 faces. With it, you can accurately measure the right amount of bulk and liquid products.
In the 80s, glass factories began to replace equipment with imported ones, which led to the loss of the usual qualities of faceted glass.
The glass, which up to that time had excellent strength, withstood temperature fluctuations and falling from the table, began to crack on the sides. Some fell off the bottom. The culprit is considered a violation of manufacturing technology.
Characteristics of faceted glasses
Despite the fact that there is a lot of information about who invented the faceted glass, the history and appearance in Russia are also contradictory, yet the characteristics remain the same. And they are different from other similar products.
- The diameter of the uppermost part is from 7.2 to 7.3 cm.
- Diameter of the bottom of the glass - 5.5 cm.
- The height of the glass product is 10.5 centimeters.
- The number of faces is usually 16 or 20.
- There is an edge along the top of the glass, the width of which is from 1.4 to 2.1 cm.
All Soviet-era glasses produced at different glass factories had these characteristics.
The advantage of faceted glass over other similar products
In the expanses of the former Soviet Union, faceted glass is widespread,due to his advantages over his fellows.
- Does not roll off the table, for example, on a sea vessel during pitching and moving through the waves.
- Popular in catering establishments due to its high durability.
- Drinkers loved this item because it was easy to split the bottle between three people. If you pour liquid up to the rim, then just one third of a half-liter bottle is placed in one glass.
- The glass stays intact when dropped from a decent height. Such strength is explained precisely by the presence of edges that give this property to fragile glass.
Modern life of faceted glass
If in Soviet times a faceted glass was an indispensable attribute of every kitchen, now it is not so easy to find such a piece of utensils. This can be explained by the fact that most glass factories have discontinued these products.
At the factory in Gus-Khrustalny, where, as the history of faceted glass says, the first faceted representative was produced, other glasses are produced that are completely transparent, which cannot be said about faceted. Representatives of the Soviet era are produced only on order.
Now for some, a faceted glass is an occasion to entertain the public and become famous for themselves. In 2005, at the celebration of the City Day in Izhevsk, a high tower of almost 2.5 meters high was built from faceted glasses. 2024 glasses went to such a construction. The idea belonged to one distilleryfactory.
Interesting information about faceted glass
Regardless of the history of faceted glass in Russia, it has always been used for more than its intended purpose. Mistresses of the old school sometimes found the most unexpected uses for him.
- The most famous use is cutting blanks for dumplings, dumplings with it. If a larger diameter was required, then a large glass was taken, and if necessary, stacks were used. Despite the fact that now there are a lot of devices to facilitate this process, many housewives have not stopped using an old and reliable glass for this.
- Faceted glass in the Soviet kitchen was a universal instrument for measuring. In old culinary publications, products for cooking were measured not in grams, but in glasses.
- Quite unusual - the use of faceted glass as a dehumidifier. He could often be seen standing between the double frames in winter. S alt was poured into the glass so that the windows would not freeze. Now more and more often, instead of wooden frames, plastic bags flaunt on our windows, so there is no place for a faceted cup.
- Summer residents have adapted to use faceted glasses for growing seedlings. They look more aesthetically pleasing, do not leave debris behind, unlike peat cups.
- The glass can be used to demonstrate optical phenomena: if you pour water into it and place a teaspoon, it seems that it is broken.
This is how glasses were used in Soviet times, although some methods of use have been preserved even now, and no one thinks about who invented the faceted glass. In modern kitchens, modern dishes flaunt on the shelves, which look more advantageous than a faceted glass, but many housewives, if they have such a rarity in their pantries, are in no hurry to get rid of it.
Glass Facts
There are some facts that are associated with faceted glass. Here are some of them:
- The cost of such dishes depended on the number of faces. A glass with 10 sides cost 3 kopecks, and with 16 sides - 7 kopecks. The volume did not depend on the number of faces, it always remained unchanged - 250 ml.
- The spread of drunkenness in Moldova is associated with a faceted glass. Historical information makes it possible to find out that before the country was liberated from the Nazis by Soviet soldiers, citizens drank from small 50 ml cups, and the Russians brought with them capacious (250 ml) faceted glasses.
- Soviet faceted glass was popularly called "Malenkovsky". Defense Minister Malenkov issued an order according to which a soldier was given 200 ml of vodka. Although such a rule did not last long, it was remembered by many.
Here are just some of the facts that are inextricably linked with faceted glass.
Festival of faceted glass
We examined in detail and remembered the faceted glass (history, how many faces), but it turns out that this piece of utensil has its ownholiday.
It is celebrated every year on September 11th. This date was chosen for a reason, it was on this day that the mass production of these dishes began at the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny. This holiday date is not considered official, rather, a folk holiday, so not very pleasant traditions are associated with it.
Russian people always do not mind finding a reason to relax with a glass of alcoholic drink, but here, as a godsend, such a holiday, it's just a sin not to drink. Here's what to expect from such a celebration.
- From faceted glasses it is supposed to drink only vodka, other alcoholic drinks are in no way associated with this glassware.
- You should not drink alone, but always in the company, because the expression “think for three” is associated with a faceted glass.
- One of the traditions of this holiday is breaking the "hero" of the celebration on the floor.
- It would be nice to remember that faceted glasses are perfect for drinking tea, jelly, compote and water. Everyone remembers such glasses in cup holders in train cars.
It can be said that between the concepts of "faceted glass", "the history of our country" you can put an equal sign. These two concepts are inextricably linked. I would very much like to see a Nobel Prize for such an invention, and not make it a permanent attribute of all feasts.
