World-class design born from fire

Glass is among the oldest materials that humans began to produce intentionally. The first records of glassmaking date back to around 3,500 BC, when it appeared in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. At first, it was mainly small decorative objects, beads, and amulets, but over time, processing techniques improved, and glass became part of everyday life.

A true breakthrough came during the Roman Empire with the spread of glassblowing techniques. These made it possible to produce thinner, lighter, and more varied shapes. Glass became more accessible, and its popularity grew across Europe. In the Middle Ages, production was concentrated mainly in regions with sufficient wood and quality raw materials, giving rise to glassmaking centres whose traditions have survived in many areas to this day.

From Renaissance Venetian workshops on the island of Murano, through Czech and German glassworks, to modern industrial plants – glass has continuously evolved. Technologies, shapes, and purposes have changed, but its essence has remained the same: a fusion of fire, craftsmanship, and human skill.

Glass is a material full of paradoxes and curiosities. Did you know, for example, that glass is technically an amorphous substance – neither completely solid nor liquid? Although there is a widespread myth that old glass windows are thicker at the bottom, the truth is that modern glass does not “flow” under normal conditions. However, its internal structure remains a subject of scientific debate.

In Japan, there are glasses designed to change the perceived taste of a drink depending on the shape of the rim. In the United States, glasses have been tested that can withstand falls from several meters without breaking. And in France, wine glasses have been developed in collaboration with sommeliers so that their shape enhances specific aromatic notes of wine.

Equally interesting are stories from behind the scenes of gastronomy – in top bars and restaurants, glassware is often tested just as rigorously as the drinks themselves. Bartenders and sommeliers consider wall thickness, balance in the hand, and how the liquid behaves when poured. Here, glass is not just a container, but an active part of the experience.

And it is precisely at this point that global trends naturally meet Slovak glassmaking.

In Lednické Rovne, glassmaking has a tradition spanning more than 130 years. The glassworks were founded as early as 1892 by the Viennese company Schreiber & Neffen, and the name RONA is derived from the historical name of the village. From the very beginning, however, it did not settle for merely preserving tradition – on the contrary, it has always been among technological leaders.

Today, RONA is known for being able to achieve by machine what is done by hand elsewhere. This approach is known as “handmade by machine”. The result is glass that is extremely thin, durable, and precise. Glasses with wall thicknesses of less than one millimetre, or stems that can slightly bend without breaking, are standard here – not the exception.

One of the greatest milestones was the introduction of pulled-stem technology. This involves producing the bowl and stem as a single piece, significantly increasing strength. RONA introduced this technology into hand production in the 1950s and, in 2001, became the first company in the world to successfully implement automated production of pulled-stem glasses. To this day, it remains a global leader in this segment.

Another unique feature is laser processing of glass, which increases the strength of the most sensitive areas by up to 50%. Thanks to this, products from Lednické Rovne are shipped to more than 80 countries worldwide – including prestigious locations such as the White House.

RONA does not rely on technology alone. It also places great emphasis on design, which has earned it numerous international awards. As early as the second half of the 20th century, its products were winning prizes at exhibitions both at home and abroad. In more recent history, the brand has received awards such as Design Plus at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt and a design award at the prestigious CDAFT exhibition in China.

Another important decision was the preservation of hand production. At a time when most European glassworks abandoned it due to its demanding nature, RONA chose to maintain it. Today, it is the only glassworks in Europe that successfully combines large-scale production with hand-blown glass. Thanks to this, its assortment is exceptionally broad – from stemware, glasses, and carafes to designer vases and candleholders.

The story of RONA proves that Slovak craftsmanship has a solid place on the global map. Most of its production is exported, yet the values on which the brand is built remain at home. Investments in new technologies, infrastructure, and design show that tradition and innovation do not have to exclude each other – on the contrary, they can strengthen one another.

Within the Made in Slovakia project, RONA represents exactly what is worth supporting: honest production, a long-term vision, and the ability to succeed in international competition without losing its identity. Take a look at our feature and see for yourself.