By supplementing his life savings with local bank financing, Mr. Bennett was able to raise the necessary $500,000 to purchase the Cambridge Glass Company in its entirety.
Many of the deep plate etched patterns were introduced during this time period, some of which were Marjorie and Betty, named after members of Mr. Bennett's family.
Through these early years, the company operated its own coal mines and consumed 50 tons daily producing raw gas to fire its melting pots.
During 1916, things slowed quite a bit, and in 1917 it was decided to close the factory in Byesville and transfer those operations back to the Cambridge plant.
With as many as 700 employees working three shifts a day, very strong lines of colored ware and complete dinner services were added to the production from the 56 pots of glass being used.
In July 1939, Mr. Bennett sold the controlling interest of the company to his son-in-law, Wilber L. Orme, who continued to develop designs and colors.
[6] In 1950, the Cambridge Square pattern won top honors across the United States for its modern design.
In 1954, Mr. Orme decided to close the plant, ending one of the best and most prosperous glass companies the world has ever known.
The opaque shades were produced in early 1920s with colors such as helio, jade, primrose, azurite and ebony.
)[7] Shortly after closing in 1954, the company was sold to a firm headed by Sidney Albert of Akron, Ohio.
In November 1960, Imperial Glass Company of Bellaire, Ohio, acquired the Cambridge molds and equipment.