From Humble Beginnings
The origins of opal Pyrex began in the 1940s as Corning developed a replacement to the vitrified china used in military mess halls. Throughout World War II, Corning made more than 25 million pieces of messware for the U.S. Army and Navy using a new manufacturing process, resulting in items that would become known as opal PYREX.
The heart of opal Pyrex production was the plant located in Charleroi, PA, located 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. The Charleroi plant had produced glassware since 1893 as Macbeth-Evans and then as Corning Glass Works since 1936. Prior to merging with Corning Glass Works, Macbeth-Evans had already pioneered the development of opal-type glasses.
The heart of opal Pyrex production was the plant located in Charleroi, PA, located 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. The Charleroi plant had produced glassware since 1893 as Macbeth-Evans and then as Corning Glass Works since 1936. Prior to merging with Corning Glass Works, Macbeth-Evans had already pioneered the development of opal-type glasses.
A Time of Prosperity
With the successful consumer launch of opal Pyrex in 1945, the Charleroi plant was thriving. Throughout the 1940s-1960s, opal Pyrex was in high demand. But starting in the 1970s, the demand for opal Pyrex began to decline.
The End of an Era
By 1985, Corning decided to end production of all opal Pyrex ware. Opal Pyrex was no longer sold after mid-1986 and production was phased out over the next two years. Since the Charleroi plant infrastructure and equipment were designed for opal Pyrex production, the future of the plant was in jeopardy. However, Charleroi plant management and the local community rallied executives in New York to keep the plant open. Their efforts paid off when the Suprema operation was moved to Charleroi in 1989. The plant continues to operate today, producing clear Pyrex items for World Kitchen.
1987 Charleroi Commemorative Opal Mug Set. Photo courtesy of Flickr member, xeryp.
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