The Origins of Depression Glass: History & Meaning

The term "Depression glass" was coined in the 1970s by dealers who were looking for a way to describe the colorful kitchenware manufactured in the United States during the Great Depression. The term is somewhat of a misnomer, as the glass was not exclusively produced during the Depression era, but rather spans the period between the 1920s and the 1940s. It is believed that the term was created to capitalize on the nostalgia associated with the Depression era, and many collectors mistakenly assume that the glass was made during that period.