A Century of Pyrex in Sunderland

In 1908, American company Corning developed ‘Nonex’, a borosilicate glass that could withstand extreme temperatures. Originally intended for railways, the glass was repurposed for the kitchen when researcher Jessie Littleton brought home a sample for his wife Bessie to bake in.

The newly named Pyrex was the perfect solution for cooking, offering heat resistance, strength and durability. It was part of a wider social revolution, as one of the first products marketed directly to women, allowing housewives the ability to cook and serve in the same dish.

The story of Pyrex in Sunderland began in 1921 when Ernest Jobling-Purser, business manager of James A. Jobling and Co., sensed the potential of Pyrex and secured the licence to make and sell it across the British Empire (excluding Canada).

Pyrex was a success - Joblings grew exponentially and by 1960 concentrated solely on the production of the heat-resistant glass. At their height they employed around 3,500 people, producing around 30 million pieces of glass a year and exporting to 120 countries.

The plant closed in 2007, with production moving to France, marking the end of mass produced commercial glass manufacture in Sunderland.

Pyrex still holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Sunderland, with many having  worked at the factory themselves, while others still use their decades-old wares in the kitchen today.

As part of a 2022 project ran by Sunderland Culture, oral histories were collected from the people of Sunderland on the impact Pyrex had on their lives.

Joan worked at Joblings after finishing school and here's what she thought about the factory before working there.

Joan talking about what the expectations were like for a worker on the line

Joan talking about the friendships she made on the factory floor

‘People’s Pyrex’, a 2019 exhibition hosted by Sunderland Culture and dedicated to celebrating Sunderland’s close relationship with Pyrex, invited members of the local community to bring in their pieces and share their stories.

During the event people were photographed with their pieces and asked three questions: how long have you had your Pyrex? How did you get it? Best memory associated with your Pyrex? The answers revealed Pyrex’s link to family, childhood and nostalgia.

Pyrex has become deeply rooted in family memories, meaning despite its lack of significant financial value, it would be difficult to throw away. It is a contemporary folk art, a decorated, useful, day-to-day item imbued with memory and value.

Exhibited alongside Pyrex from the community was University of Sunderland alumni Erin Dickson’s Coronet.

Commissioned by the National Glass Centre as part of NGC21, Coronet focuses on cultural impact of glass in Sunderland, with Dickson creating a contemporary interpretation of Joblingware using another Wearside export - Sunderland AFC 

One hundred years later, Pyrex has earned its place in Sunderland's rich industrial and social history, surviving in the hearts and homes of Wearside.

You can visit National Glass Centre and Sunderland Museum to view their extensive Pyrex collection.