Trip- Day 3- Homer Laughlin China Company

Today we toured the Homer Laughlin China Company Factory.  They produced dinnerware from many restaurants such as Applebees, PF Chang's, Margaritaville, Steak and Shake, and finer china pieces for resorts such as The Greenbrier and The Biltmore.  They also have contracts with the Air force, Navy and Marines.  Special orders can be requested at a nice price and have been created for people such as Lou Holtz, Micheal Jordan, and the former First Lady of West Virginia, Gayle Manchin, even designed 4 sets for the Governor's mansion  and they are still used today.


Gayle Manchin's designs, a place setting for each season, Fall, Spring, Winter and Summer

But Perhaps they are most famously known for their Fiesta Dinnerware.  Sold in many local department stores.  Very recognizable by their bold colors and durable design.

 



 

Discussion Question:

 

1. To this point we have discussed the glass industry as a dying trade.  To our surprise Homer Laughlin says they are experiencing the most profitable years of the last few decades.  Make a T-chart listing the uses of Glass Vs Ceramics.  Bring to class ready to add to discussion.

 

Science Notebook assignment:

 

We will go over a hand out given in class on how to read HLC backstamps to identify where and when ceramic plates were made. You will need to read the backstamps of 10 ceramic pieces in the next two weeks. Paste the handout into your Science Notebook on he left hand side and on the right hand side create a data table to include where you obtained the information from (restaurant, grandmas house), the date you recorded the information, and information to identify the company, place and date manufactured. I will have several pieces in class we will practice with to ensure you will be successful on this assignment.