Edward Libbey facts for kids
Edward Drummond Libbey (born April 17, 1854 – died November 13, 1925) was a very important person in the history of glassmaking. He is known as the "father of the glass industry" in Toledo, Ohio. He started the Libbey Glass Company there in 1888. This company is now called Libbey, Inc..
Who Was Edward Libbey?
Edward Libbey was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. After going to Boston University, he started working for the New England Glass Company in 1874. He became the president of that company from 1883 to 1886.
In 1888, he moved his glass company to Toledo, Ohio. This move was a big success! He even showed off his glassmaking skills at the Chicago exposition in 1893. A lot of his success came from the amazing inventions of Michael Joseph Owens.
Edward Libbey also helped start other important companies. In 1903, he founded the Owens Bottle Machine Company. This company later became Owens-Illinois. In 1916, he started the Libbey-Owens Sheet Glass Company. He was the president of both of these companies.
Besides his work in glass, Edward Libbey was also a generous person. He founded the Toledo Museum of Art in 1901. He was the museum's president from 1901 until he passed away in 1925. He gave money to build the museum and also donated his own collection of art. Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio, was named after him to honor his contributions.
Edward Libbey's Impact on Ojai, California
Edward Libbey also played a huge role in developing the city of Ojai. This city is located in Ventura County, California. He visited the Ojai Valley and loved it. He then made many plans to improve and beautify the town.
In 1917, a big fire destroyed much of Ojai's downtown area. After the fire, Libbey helped design and pay for a new downtown. He wanted it to be built in the popular Spanish Colonial Revival style. This new design included a Spanish-style arcade along the main street. It also featured a bell-tower that looked like the famous campanile in Havana. He also built a pergola across from the arcade.
To thank Edward Libbey for his gifts, the people of Ojai wanted to have a special day called "Libbey Day." He politely refused and suggested they call it "Ojai Day" instead. This celebration still happens every year in October.
The arcade and bell tower that Libbey helped build are still standing today. They have become important symbols of Ojai. The pergola was damaged in 1971 and later rebuilt in the early 2000s. This helped complete the beautiful look of the downtown area.
Edward Libbey's Lasting Legacy
Many things remind us of Edward Drummond Libbey today. Edward Drummond Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio, is named after him. His work in glassmaking and his generous gifts to communities left a lasting impact.
