Libbey Glass Company

The Libbey Glass Company, with roots tracing back to the late 1700s, stands as one of the oldest American glass manufacturers. Originally linked to the Libbey family's introduction of lead glass in North America, the company evolved from the New England Glass Company, founded in 1818 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Renowned for its high-quality pressed glass, the company was rebranded as W.L. Libbey and Son in 1878 under William L. Libbey's leadership.

In 1888, Edward Libbey relocated the company to Toledo, Ohio, and renamed it the Libbey Glass Company. The 1920s saw Libbey focusing on the restaurant market, which expanded further post-Prohibition. However, the Great Depression impacted the company significantly, leading to its acquisition by Owens-Illinois in 1935 as the Libbey Glass Division.

Transitioning its focus to household glassware in the 1950s, Libbey experienced substantial growth. Despite market stagnation in later decades, Owens-Illinois divested Libbey in 1993. As an independent entity, Libbey acquired companies like Syracuse China and Anchor Hocking, continuing its legacy in the glassware industry.