The area that became Paden City was settled by Obadiah Paden in 1790. Then Known as Paden Valley, it remained largely agricultural until the turn of the 20th century when Pittsburg industrialists Thomas Watson began to develop industries there. Along with concrete,steel and lumber, glass and pottery factories were built. In 1911, Frenchman John Lessel opened Paden City Pottery which produced fine china. This company developed the first ovenproof dinnerware line. It was in operation until 1953 when lower priced items imported from Japan drove them out of business.
What made it possible for the Japanese to export lower priced goods that put american companies out of business? What could we compare it to today?
What two key factors made Paden City a place of interest for Pittsburg Industrialists Thomas Watson? (listen to the audioboo for the answer)
Paden City Glass Companies
Empire Glass Co.- 1903-1904; colored flat glass.
Ohio Valley Glass Co.-1904-1910; colored flat glass.
Duesquene Glass Company 1905-1919; beer, mineral and other bottles.
Paul Wissmach Glass Co. Inc.- 1910 to present; colored flat glass.
Paden City Glass Manufacturing Co.-1916-1951; tableware, barware, stemware, giftware, novelities.
American Glass Works Inc. 1919-1928; liquors, soda & other bottles.
American Glass Works Co. 1928-1936; patent & prescription medicine bottles.
Tyler Glass Co.1940-1941; hollowware, bottles.
Lawrence Glass Novelty Co. 1929-1931; marbles.
Corning Glass Works-Paden City 1960 circa 1980's tableware, coffee pots.
Marble King Inc. 1960 to present; toy marbles.