Glass started being made sometime around 5000 years ago. At the start of the 15th century an oil lamp was used to make beads. This is where the name 'Lampwork Beads' comes from. That must have been a slow arduous task. Maybe that is why when looking to buy ancient beads one must pay so much for them, but for me it is worth the cost. Borosilicate glass came at the beginning of the 20th century. Needing higher heats than an oil lamp could produce new burners and torches were designed. Using oxygen and natural gas these torches are what are used today to make beads.
The top picture is me working on my old Hot Head torch. I worked on this torch for almost 3 years. The bottom picture is a shot of my work space and my new minor torch which I bought in the spring of 2007. BIGGER IS BETTER....
An amazing collection of African Trade Beads. Picture taken by David Nevill here is the link to his site; www.africantradebeads.com	Here is a link to Robert A. Mickelson site on the history of beadmaking. It is worth looking at for sure. http://www.glass.co.nz/lampwork.html  Here is another site that is a must read for the avid bead historian. http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2007/july/beads2.htm