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The History of the Fenton Art Glass Company |
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| In 1905 with $284.86, Frank L. Fenton and his brother John start the Fenton Art Glass Company, renting space in the Haskins Glass Co. building in Martins Ferry, Ohio. At first they bought glass blanks on which they paint decoration. |
| It was not long before they were having trouble acquiring glass, they decided to produce their own. |
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| About a year later, the Fenton's build a factory in Williamstown, West Virginia. The first piece made is a crystal cream pitcher with a Water Lily and Cattails pattern. From the beginning to the 1920's, Fenton |
| design was heavily influenced by the artists at Tiffany and Steuben. . |
| But in late 1907 Fenton glass introduced a new glass called "Iridescent" glass, we know it today as "Carnival" glass, which is still very a popular collectible today. |
| Through many glass companies failed during the Depression Years in the United States, Fenton glass actually grew during the 1930's and 1940's by producing household and kitchen items. |
| Business improved in 1939 with the outbreak of war in Europe. Many importing companies could no longer obtain supplies from Europe, and turned to home producers to supply the demand. |
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During this time people had money to spend, but many products were in short supply, so there was a great demand for quality glass. |
| Also, in the 1940's Fenton's Victorian styles and opaque colored glass became very popular. |
| In the late 1940's and early 1950's there was a another slump in the hand glass industry, but again Fenton's resourcefulness came to their aid. |
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