1887
1887
The birth of borosilicate glass
German scientist Otto Schott discovers that the addition of boron oxide to the composition of glass makes it highly resistant to thermal shock. His borosilicate glass formula was an immediate commercial success. W. C. Taylor, a chemist from the American company Corning, improved on Otto Schott's recipe in 1912, obtaining an even "harder" glass: Nonex.
Did you know? Nonex is used for railroad signal lanterns. Snowflakes, which used to cause the burning bulbs to shatter, now glide over the glass without damaging it.
Railroad lantern. Courtesy of the Corning Incorporated Department of Archives & Records Management, Corning, NY
1915
1915
Creation of the Pyrex brand
Bessie Littleton, the wife of physicist Jessie Littleton, an engineer at Corning, was behind the birth of the brand. Her long experience of broken dishes, cracked after a single in the oven, prompted her to ask her husband for the bottoms of Nonex laboratory vats, in order to test the baking of a Savoy cake. A success! Bessie Littleton followed this up with all kinds of recipes and ingredients, from potatoes to meat... Her success convinced Corning's management, who decided to start manufacturing kitchen utensils. All that was needed was a name to establish the company in the public eye. Pyright came to mind, since its first application was a pie plate. It was soon transformed into Pyrex, to rhyme with Nonex. Very quickly, advertisements went wild for this revolutionary glass that resists cold and fire, and American kitchens were filled with transparent pots and pans.
1916
The first pie dish comes out of the Pyrex factories® (Bake & Enjoy).
Creation of the Pyrex brand
Bessie Littleton, the wife of physicist Jessie Littleton, an engineer at Corning, was behind the birth of the brand. Her long experience of broken dishes, cracked after a single in the oven, prompted her to ask her husband for the bottoms of Nonex laboratory vats, in order to test the baking of a Savoy cake. A success! Bessie Littleton followed this up with all kinds of recipes and ingredients, from potatoes to meat... Her success convinced Corning's management, who decided to start manufacturing kitchen utensils. All that was needed was a name to establish the company in the public eye. Pyright came to mind, since its first application was a pie plate. It was soon transformed into Pyrex, to rhyme with Nonex. Very quickly, advertisements went wild for this revolutionary glass that resists cold and fire, and American kitchens were filled with transparent pots and pans.
1916
The first pie dish comes out of the Pyrex factories® (Bake & Enjoy).
1922
1922
Pyrex glass production® crosses the Atlantic to France
Pioneers of Pyrex in France, glassblowers Clovis and Léon Régent produced their first borosilicate balloons at the glassworks in Bagneaux-sur-Loing (near Paris). These experiments give rise to Société Le Pyrex, in which Saint-Gobain is a shareholder, along with Corning, which holds a 10% stake.
1930
1930
Pyrex glass® enters the world of healthcare
Cannulas, syringes, suction cups, spittoons, nasal droppers... A wide range of hygienic glassware in Pyrex®, which is resistant to boiling water, flame, alcohol and chemical agents, is now available.
Pyrex glass® enters the world of healthcare
Cannulas, syringes, suction cups, spittoons, nasal droppers... A wide range of hygienic glassware in Pyrex®, which is resistant to boiling water, flame, alcohol and chemical agents, is now available.
1936
1936
Success for the Baby Bottle range
Created in the 1920s, the® Pyrex feeding bottle is a small revolution: reliable, safe and hygienic, it has everything to reassure young mothers. The Bagneaux-sur-Loing Bagneaux-sur-Loing is overwhelmed by orders for baby bottles. A semi-automatic machine is developed automatic machine (until then, bottles had been blown by cane) was developed to optimize output.
1948
1948
Electric kitchens
The arrival of electricity in the kitchen revolutionized cooking. Combined gas-electric and coal-electric ovens took over. Pyrex oven dishes® are now found in every every household.
Electric kitchens
The arrival of electricity in the kitchen revolutionized cooking. Combined gas-electric and coal-electric ovens took over. Pyrex oven dishes® are now found in every every household.
1970
1970
Construction of the factory in Châteauroux, birth of Europe's largest furnace.
The Pyrex factory® is transferred to Châteauroux, where it gradually becomes the main production site, while the Bagneaux-sur-Loing glassworks decline.
1985
1985
Launch of the first range of glass freezers.
At a time when households are equipping themselves with microwave ovens and freezers, the Pyrex brand® is launching a line of freezer-cooker boxes. The company designs dishes whose cubic shape is specially calibrated for microwaves and space saving.
Launch of the first range of glass freezers.
At a time when households are equipping themselves with microwave ovens and freezers, the Pyrex brand® is launching a line of freezer-cooker boxes. The company designs dishes whose cubic shape is specially calibrated for microwaves and space saving.
2004 - 2010
2004 - 2010
New versions
A small revolution took place at this time. The Pyrex brand® was now available in metal, ceramic and stainless steel. The brand wanted to show that it was more than just fire glass, it offers a varied range of cooktop products: frying pans, saucepans, woks and sauté pans.
2008 - 2014
2008 - 2014
Geographic expansion
Foreign markets, which were traditionally traditionally managed from France, benefit from local headquarters in Russia (2008) and Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Poland in 2012). First, sales teams were set up, followed by marketing teams, to support the expansion of the Pyrex® brand in these countries.
Geographic expansion
Foreign markets, which were traditionally traditionally managed from France, benefit from local headquarters in Russia (2008) and Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Poland in 2012). First, sales teams were set up, followed by marketing teams, to support the expansion of the Pyrex® brand in these countries.
2010
2010
The steam basket
Approved by Michelin-starred chefs, steam cooking is beginning to win over cooking enthusiasts. More and more ovens are offering the "steam option" for healthier, lower-fat cooking that preserves the minerals, vitamins and color of food. The Pyrex brand® is the only one brand capable of producing a glass steam basket on an industrial scale.
2015
2015
The brand celebrates its 100th anniversary
The brand celebrates its 100th anniversary
2017
2017
Origine France Garantie label awarded
Launched in 2010, the "Origine France Garantie" certification is now well established in the minds of the French. 82% of those questioned are familiar with "Origine France Garantie". It differentiates itself from "Made in France" by going further in its selection criteria. It guarantees that your product takes its essential characteristics in France and that at least 50% of its cost price is French. For 84% of French people, this is a guarantee of confidence in the French origin of a product. of French people
2021
2021
Launch of the 1st all-glass canister range
Launch of the 1st all-glass canister range
2023
2023
Pyrex® commits to the fight against food waste
At Pyrex®, we've been committed for over 100 years to healthy, gourmet cooking that's ever more respectful of the planet. We want to make cooking a moment of spontaneous pleasure for everyone, every day. Durability of our products, French manufacturing, ever cleaner technologies to reduce our carbon footprint, eco-designed products for better preservation, storage and thus the daily fight against food waste... Our fight for a better-preserved planet grows stronger every day by your side.