Brightening the 20th Century: The influence of prismatic glass

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Prismatic glass, developed to improve the amount of daylight reflected into interior commercial spaces prior to the widespread use of electric lighting, consisted of small tiles of ribbed, textured glass. The use of ribbing and patterned textures on the surface of the glass enabled the refraction of light deeper into an interior space. Not only did this invention improve existing commercial spaces, it resulted in changes to the design of commercial spaces, which could be longer in depth and made with fewer windows. This brief discusses the history of prismatic glass development, its manufacturing and application processes, and considerations for restoration or replication. Key concepts include prismatic glass, history of prismatic glass, history of commercial retail interiors, material culture, historic daylighting, pre-electric lighting strategies, and glass manufacturing history.