Fostoria Shade and Lamp Company information

The Fostoria Shade and Lamp Company was the largest manufacturer of glass lamps in the United States during the early 1890s. It began operations in Fostoria, Ohio, on May 17, 1890. The plant was run by Nicholas Kopp Jr., a former chemist at Hobbs, Brockunier and Company in West Virginia. Kopp achieved fame for his many glass designs and formulas for various colors of glass, and he is the discoverer of the American formula for selenium-based ruby glass. The company's products were very popular, and it was able to make significant profits early in its existence. In addition to lamps and shades for home lighting, the company also made novelties such as salt shakers.

In 1893 the company faced difficulties with its fuel supply for its glassmaking furnaces. In addition, the nationwide depression known as the Panic of 1893 began in January, and company president and politician Charles Foster filed for personal bankruptcy. The company merged with the Pittsburgh-based company Wallace & McAfee later in 1893, and the combined company was called Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company. Operations continued at the Fostoria glass works after it was officially taken over by the new company on January 1, 1894. Difficulty with the natural gas supply caused Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company to construct a new plant near Pittsburgh. The Fostoria plant was mostly shut down by December 1895, and the new Pennsylvania glass works began operations on March 16, 1896. Consolidated Lamp and Glass operated until 1964.