Let’s Talk Corning Ware at Mama’s Treasures In 1953 a Corning scientist, Dr. Donald Stookey, happened onto a revolutionary new type of glass after completing some unusual experiments.
News-Antique.com - Aug 01,2007 - In 1953 a Corning scientist, Dr. Donald Stookey, happened onto a revolutionary new type of glass after completing some unusual experiments. The properties of this new glass were amazing. By changing the batch formulation and the heating schedule, he had found
a whole new family of basic engineering materials as versatile as glass itself. He named it Pyroceram.
One of the first and most dramatic applications of this new material was it’s use in the nose cone of a space missile, the temperature of which must withstand the fierce heat of hundreds of degrees of heat from air friction. A direct spin off of Pyroceram is the unique
line of cooking utensils Corning developed from it. They were introduced in 1958 under the name of Corning Ware. This may be surprising because for some reason that name is associated to the late 60s and early 70s for most of us kitchen fanatics.
Cooking utensils made from this gleaming snow white material could withstand use and abuse which no other glass or ceramic (and probably few metal utensils) could withstand without the slightest damage. Half a piece of Corning Ware could be frozen in a block of ice and the other half subjected to the heat of a blow torch without the slightest damage. As a result, the company guaranteed to replace without charge the glass or ceramic part of any Corning Ware product that broke from temperature extremes. The introduction of
Corning Ware also marked the company’s introduction into the portable appliance field. By the 1970s there was a line consisting of over fifty items ranging from percolators and skillets to roasters and serving platters. It provided a whole new dimension to cooking
utensils which, with Corning Ware, could literally go from the freezer to the range and then right on to the table as an attractive serving dish.
If you grew up in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, you’ll remember how Pyrex and Corning Ware were a big part of every kitchen. I can remember how excited I was to own one of the first electric Corning Ware percolators. I’m still using my Dutch Oven casserole and Cinderella bowls. Today you’ll find these pieces increasing in numbers in antique malls and shops. Many wouldn’t call them antique or even collectible. I don’t even try to argue
the point. It’s a product that worked then and still works and you can’t buy it new. For me that makes it what I like to call a functional collectible. It will eventually get old enough to be considered a true antique and I’d bet money that most of it is still working and able to be used.
Mama’s Treasures specializes in this type of kitchen collectible as well as many other types of collectibles. We’re always on the search for new items and you might be surprised by our variety of items. I invite you to stop by and browse our shop on Tias.com and take advantage of our frequent sales and
