The magic of glass and metal
Today, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) celebrates the reopening of the W. David Kingery Ceramics and Glass Laboratory — formerly known as the MIT Glass Lab — and the Merton C. Flemings Materials Processing Laboratory, home to MIT’s forge and foundry. Forge, foundry, and glassblowing activities were part of the department's Course 3 curriculum at MIT’s founding. For decades, MIT students have been given the opportunity to explore, understand, create, and learn while working with glass and metal. Until the renovation, however, the glassblowing and forge activities shared one room; the foundry was down the hall, in a cramped and dark space. Students now have more space for these activities, and new equipment has been added to allow more participation in classes at all levels. Improved safety and ventilation systems have also been added. The renovation was made possible by a fundraising campaign that has raised nearly $3 million to...