Short Autobiography of Master Glassblower Harald W. Eberhart

I emigrated with my parents from Graz, Austria in 1960. At the age of 14 I joined my father in an apprenticeship program similar to the European glassblowing educational system. From the ages of 19 to 24 I made my journeyman with my father at the University of Windsor and was at the time the youngest glassblower in the American Scientific Glassblower Society.

My father, Wolfgang R. Eberhart; graduated as the youngest Master Glassblower in the history of Austria, at the age of 22. I knew that apprenticing under him would provide me with extraordinary glassblowing knowledge. He was my greatest educator to this day, and passed away Jan. 25, 2001.

From 1969 to 1974, I learned old world technical glassblowing secrets. These included the new trade secrets my father invented through Pyrex Lamp working. My artistic expertise grew, and my glass sculptures began selling throughout Canada, Spain and Australia. My father's fame grew also, and I was privileged to continue to study with him as he blew glass for the 1987 Calgary Olympic Games and the Royal House of Windsor in England. He represented Canada in many international art fairs, and I was happy to be his co-worker, gaining experience in Artistic and Scientific Lamp working.

From 1975 to 1991 I worked at Dow Chemical Co., in Midland, Michigan. In Midland, Michigan I started my own personal Artistic Glassblowing Business. I sold my work mostly in Michigan and Canada.

I have been employed at the University of Michigan since 1991, where I have an outstanding glass lab; with plenty of supplies for research glassblowing. I am in my 13th year at the university. I teach several courses in artistic lamp working for beginners and advanced students in my private studio here in Ann Arbor. The 30 hour hands on courses are intense. My classes are increasing in popularity. Since October 1993 I have taught hundreds of students the basics of Lamp Working. In 1999, at Corning N.Y. I taught a one week glass blowing workshop at their request. I also have taught at the Glass Axis in Columbus Ohio in June of 2000 and it my goal to continue teaching as long as possible. I have 41 years of flameworking experience and I am one of the few glass masters willing to teach this skill to the public.