| It was a well know fact that the Blowers in | | | | watering establishments. |
| Waterford Crystal Ireland had a really tough job. The | | | | Air Bubbles, also known as Smithwicks, Phoenix, Harp |
| heat in the Blowing Department reached | | | | and Guinness bubbles, were formed in a lot of the |
| temperatures in excess of 110 degrees. Some of the | | | | crystal pieces that the blowers created. The Guinness |
| counter measures to combat this predicament were | | | | bubbles were the largest and gave the cutters the |
| salt tablets. This would keep body fluids from building | | | | most problems. It was up to the Master Cutter on |
| up and would bring much relief to these extraordinary | | | | the bench to determine what species the bubble was |
| artisans. This would also save their wives from doing | | | | and to act accordingly to remove the air from the |
| laundry with extra fabric softeners. The result was | | | | bubble. Special wheels called the GB Blaster were |
| softer shorts, which gave a element of comfort to | | | | used frequently, where the cutter would have to |
| these fine craftsmen of the now bankrupt | | | | wear a special oxygen mask to eliminate the hot air |
| Waterford Crystal in Ireland. | | | | created by the Guinness formation. Many an |
| In those days, air-conditioning was unheard of and | | | | American visitor, while taking the factory tour, was |
| the next best relief available was an open window, a | | | | heard commenting on how happy the Blowers were. |
| big fan turning at a high rate of speed to circulate | | | | One of the favorite songs heard resonating in |
| the air, or a head/sweat band to stop the moisture | | | | harmony with perfect pitch each day after lunch was |
| from stinging the eyes, which could result in crystal | | | | "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" |
| pieces being deformed. Shirts were not allowed to be | | | | The next time you spot an air bubble in your |
| taken off, but on the real hot days the Supervisors | | | | Waterford Crystal, try figure out which type it is? |
| overlooked it. Water fountains were spread | | | | Just remember the largest ones are the Guinness |
| throughout the factory floor which was a must have | | | | bubbles. They're the ones with a white head and this |
| on the lazy warm days of summer. Other ways to | | | | is how you can spot them! |
| beat the heat were to have liquid lunches at the local | | | | |
