Who made marbles, and who still makes them?
Though marbles were made in several European countries during the early history of the game, it was the Germans who were most prolific. They created many of the stone and clay marbles of the 1800s and before, and were also the ones who invented the cane cut glass marble. However, it was American ingenuity that led to the invention of marble making machinery, and once these machines were perfected, millions of marbles could be produced by one company in a single day. Those still making marbles by hand could not hope to compete, and the practice died shortly after World War I. In recent years, however, glass artisans breathed new life into the craft, and now hand made “art glass marbles” are very popular, not for use in games, but as highly valued collectibles displayed for their beauty. Besides a couple hundred individual craftsmen (and craftswomen) currently making glass and ceramic marbles for collectors, there are few companies that actually still make marbles for use in games. Most
