Glass Production in the U.S.
While the pressing of glass into molds has been practiced for thousands of years, refinements of the processes led to new industries. In the United States early glassmaking facilities operated in colonial Jamestown, Boston, and Cambridge.

Between 1820 and 1825, American manufacturers revolutionized glassworking with the invention of steel molds and a fixed-lever press that would shape and pattern glass. Because of a fire that destroyed records of early patents, exact information as to who, when and where the first mechanized glass pressing operation is unknown.

The first pressed glass goblets were made in the 1840s. They featured bold, geometric motifs inspired by more expensive cut-glass patterns and were pressed from lead glass.

Pressed glass, made by this mechanical process, became extremely popular. Much of it exhibited a crudeness suggesting the many difficulties manufacturers encountered as they attempted to squeeze hot glass into predetermined shapes and patterns. By the mid-1860s, a less expensive soda-lime glass had been developed and patterns became increasingly delicate and representational in character. The lead, or so called "flint," glass pressed until that time was much heavier and more brilliant than soda-lime glass and generally it emitted a beautiful, bell-like tone when struck.

Glass Collecting
In the late 19th century many Americans became fascinated with early design styles dating to the Colonial period. At this point, a new pastime was born – the collecting of American antiques.

During the early 20th century collectors became specialized and by the 1920's collecting in one particular category, American glass, had achieved the proportions of a popular rage.

Even the earliest pressed glass has not aged the arbitrary 100 years required for sanctified "antique" status. However dating is less than precise and confronted with the scarcity of early blown articles collectors have been willing to be lenient. In fact, for pressed glass the designation of "early" generally extended up to the mid-1860s when soda-lime glass formulas were introduced.