Pigmented structural glass

Developed in the United States in 1900, it was widely used around the world in the first half of the 20th century in Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings.

Pigmented structural glass[a] was developed in 1900 in the United States by the Marrietta Manufacturing Company of Indianapolis, Indiana.

[9] Later manufacturing techniques used fine sand to polish the surface, followed by felt blocks and iron(III) oxide powder.

[2] Pigmented structural glass could be manufactured in flat panels or curves, and in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses.

[2] Small mosaic tiles, affixed to flexible fabric, were another option for fitting the product to curved surfaces.

[2] In time, manufacturers learned that pigmented structural glass could be carved, cut, inlaid, laminated, sandblasted, and sculpted to create a wide range of finishes and textures.

[3][4] The company also used the name "Sani Rox",[3] while the term "vitreous marble" was coined by the firm as a general descriptive.

Industrial consumers quickly found new uses for the product as countertops, dados, bathroom partitions, storefront signs, and tabletops.

[6] The Art Deco and Steamline Moderne architectural movements vastly increased the market for pigmented structural glass.