Question Regarding EPCOT's UK...

[Beccaberry]

On one of the many afternoons we spent in EPCOT's UK, I noticed the windows above the Rose & Crown looked like this...

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o368/beccaberry73/DSCF5655.jpg

Does anyone know why the window panes look like this?

[Dawn]

What do you mean by "like this"

[Beccaberry]

The "ripple" in the window pane...

[Dawn]

You did say "ripple" right? :unsure:

They are used to distort vision looking through them.

[Johnie]

We do not have windows like that here.

[lisaw]

They are called Crown glass apparantly but I have always called them bottle windows. You find that glass quite a lot in old houses here.

We used to have a front door with one square of that type of glass in it, lets light in but as Dawn said it distorts peoples view through it. :)

[foreverducky]

Is it common?

[Tink]

I don't know if it's common, but WDW uses it at the Rose and Crown to replicate the window panes that were in use years and years ago. :yes:

We do have heavy, wavy windows here in very old homes that have been preserved.

[Slowhand]

Is it common?
You seldom [if ever] see that type of glazing used nowadays.
It was used quite a lot in times gone by though eg the windows in the Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens.

[Beccaberry]

Interesting! Thanks!

I guess my question is...wouldn't they just look through another pane if they wanted to be nosy? :unsure:

[foreverducky]

I guess my question is...wouldn't they just look through another pane if they wanted to be nosy? :unsure:

Yes, I wondering too.

[Keith]

< disclaimer > very much NOT a glass expert :lol: but I remember my parents taking me to a glass blowing factory when I was young and they were talking about this very thing.

My understanding is that it was less about actual privacy and more about the process involved in making the glass, the predominant early hand made processes being cylinder and crown.

Cylinder was where they blew out a bottle shaped section of glass then cut off the ends and unrolled the cylinder to produce a flat pane.

Crown glass involved a sort of splodge :lol: as I remember it, think circular chunk of molten glass which they used a sort of stick in the centre and twirled it round until it became far larger and thinner. The GOOD expensive panes were cut from the edges and were clear and as you'd expect, the centre, called the bullseye, which was of course distorted and rather more opaque/thick, was sold cheaply for less obvious, important window spaces.

[Dawn]

Older buildings also had false windows too. A window was painted on the wall to give the impression that it was there but really it was just a wall with a painting on it. This was because many years ago building had to pay a window tax based on how many panes of glass they had.

The Blue Anchor pub in Staines where I used to enjoy the odd tipple is a great example of this - the upper floor has wooden facade windows with beautifully painted blue drapes and everything.

[Taja]

Yep! Pretty much what Keith said. No glass expert here, either, but I'm digging in the depths of memory from architecture classes a gazillion years ago.

If I remember correctly, glass panes were made by a hand process and it was difficult to control the clarity. Ripples and bubbles were common--and glass was available only to the very wealthy. That's why window panes were very small at one time--they couldn't control the glass to make larger pieces. You'll see original or reproduction ripple glass in older preserved US homes and sometimes find an old mirror with the original ripple glass.

As techniques evolved, clearer glass became possible, usually around the edges, as Keith said. The clear glass commanded premium prices, with the distorted glass a bit cheaper. Still primarily for the wealthy or upper middle-class. Automation made glass reasonably affordable for nearly everyone.

[Keith]

The Blue Anchor pub in Staines where I used to enjoy the odd tipple is a great example of this - the upper floor has wooden facade windows with beautifully painted blue drapes and everything.

OOOO I've been there! :yes:

[Taja]

Older buildings also had false windows too. A window was painted on the wall to give the impression that it was there but really it was just a wall with a painting on it. This was because many years ago building had to pay a window tax based on how many panes of glass they had.

The Blue Anchor pub in Staines where I used to enjoy the odd tipple is a great example of this - the upper floor has wooden facade windows with beautifully painted blue drapes and everything.

There used to be a door tax in the US! Most buildings had only one entrance/exit for that reason. And perhaps one or two interior doors, if the owners could afford it. :)

[Dawn]

There used to be a tax on floor space overe here too. That's why in a lot of old buildings the upper floors are bigger than the ground floor and overhang them.

[Dawn]

OOOO I've been there! :yes:

Did you happen to notice a crowd of unruly postal staff in the corner. :unsure:

[Keith]

Did you happen to notice a crowd of unruly postal staff in the corner. :unsure:

Well I was depressed at being in Staines, so I was pretty drunk :lol:

[Dawn]

Most people in Staines were like that. :lol:

[Beccaberry]

Wow! Thanks for the history lessons guys! Definitely enjoying it!

Interesting detail for Disney to include that I'd not noticed before...

[lisaw]

The Blue Anchor pub in Staines where I used to enjoy the odd tipple is a great example of this - the upper floor has wooden facade windows with beautifully painted blue drapes and everything.

That place used to scare me :lipwobble: :lol:

[Dawn]

Why? :unsure:

[lisaw]

Scary looking bikers hanging around outside when we had to walk past to get to the cinema! :embarassed:

[Dawn]

The bikers have gone. :lol:

And so has the lovely old proper cinema with its lovely balcony. :(

Stupid multiplex in the new shopping area. :furious:

[lisaw]

I know I loved that old cinema with the usherette that looked like Bella Emberg (Russ Abbots old sidekick) :lol:

Although Vue cinemas are my cinema of choice now as they are the most comfy I would still prefer the proper old cinema experience :yes: