Rudolfova huť

Originally an ironworks under Josef Inwald AG, it underwent major changes in 1905. Glass production began at the former ironworks facility in Dubí near Teplice, initially focusing on blown utility and lighting glass. With the addition of semi-automatically produced packaging glass, particularly for canning, the factory gradually expanded into pressed glass production as well.

After World War I, glass production underwent significant modernization, opening doors to diverse designs that brought the company renown in both domestic and foreign markets. Among the most famous series are the "Lord," "Argos," "Boulle," "Pollax," and "Perforal" collections. These sets successfully combined traditional and modern elements, and their quality secured the company’s position in international markets. With the arrival of prominent designer Rudolf Schröter in 1920, functionalist aesthetics began to influence production. The "Pollax" set from 1935 exemplified his progressive ideas – clean lines and geometric shapes that highlighted the character of pressed glass, capturing attention with their uniqueness.

Rudolfova Huta was renowned for its stunning pressed glass products, with most items crafted from colorless, crystal-clear glass. However, the collection was enriched with transparent color variations such as a subtle smoky shade, topaz glow, deep blue, vivid green, and striking red.

A special pan furnace was used for colored glass in the glassworks, while crystal glass was melted in tank furnaces. In Dubí, there were as many as three furnaces in operation—two running continuously with a capacity of 40 and 60 tons per day, and a third one for daily use. One of these tanks was even considered the largest in Central Europe! Although the production facilities were also used for other types of glass, including packaging and technical glass, pressed glass held a key position by the late 1930s, accounting for as much as 43% of the production, underscoring its significant role.

Rudolf Schröter is the author of the well-known "unbreakable" Durit glasses, whose production began in 1934 and continued until 1996. The glasses were made in various color variations and were exceptionally durable. Their durability was achieved by cooling them in oil instead of in a cooling furnace.

The year 1964 marked a pivotal modernization. Rudolfova huť introduced an electrically heated 100-ton tank unit and expanded its machinery, fully automating the production of packaging glass. Pressed glass, however, continued to be crafted by hand, underscoring the uniqueness of each product. Hydraulic presses, which replaced the original manual ones, enabled even greater precision in creating popular products for households and restaurants.

A major figure in shaping the design legacy of Rudolfova huť was also Karel Peroutka, the glassworks’ director and head of the design center, who contributed to the revival of Czech glassmaking after the war. Design proposals by Rudolf Schröter from the 1930s, such as “Pollax” and “Boulle,” became inspirations for later designers like Rudolf Jurnikl, Vladislav Urban, and František Vízner. These artists were able to breathe new life into the glassworks, elevating it to an internationally recognized producer of pressed glass. Schröter's idea of creating products without excessive ornamentation led to elegant, functional pieces that suited any interior.

With the arrival of new designers at Rudolfova huť, an era of innovation and experimentation began, giving rise to unique designs that combined tradition with modern approaches. The atelier of Prof. Karel Štipl brought in young designers like Václav Hanuš, Jiří Zejmon, František Zemek, and Miloš Filip, whose work laid the foundation for a new wave of design that revitalized not only the style offerings but also the production technology of pressed glass. Adolf Matura also joined, and as the chairman of the design advisory board, contributed to the creation of a design concept for pressed glass, strengthening Rudolfova huť’s market position. Their collections reached customers and became popular not only in Czechoslovakia but also abroad.

The range of pressed glass from Rudolfova huť expanded over time to include vases, bowls, plates, ashtrays, compote sets, and other decorative items. In addition to standard color variations, which include steel blue, green, amber yellow, tourmaline green, purple amethyst, and smoke glass, the glassworks also became known for offering many designs in multiple color options, allowing customers to create harmonious collections.

After 1990, when the glass factory was privatized, it became part of the AVIR UNION company, which was later acquired by the multinational Owens Group from Illinois, USA. The company was renamed to O-I Czech Republic, a.s., in 2019, though the original name, Rudolfova huť, continues to be used.

Today, Rudolfova huť is still regarded as a symbol of quality pressed glass, attracting admirers with its classic and modern designs and remaining one of the foremost representatives of Czech glassmaking.