The Museum of the Baruther Glassworks focuses attention on the development of an independent profession – that of glass-blower or glass-instrument maker. The advocates of this move were seeking to bridge the gap between craft and science, and have registered patents themselves. Many inventions in physics, medicine, chemistry and electro-technology would not have been possible without apparatus fashioned by glass-instrument makers. The ‘anchor’ for the underlying themes of this exhibition is provided by the life and work of Reinhold Burger (1866-1954), who invented the thermos flask and paved the way for the serial manufacture of X-ray tubes. This special exhibition, complete with accompanying catalogue, is dedicated to this entrepreneur, who was born in Glashütte and ran his own factory in Berlin from 1894. Using 100 objects and documentation from his estate, it illustrates Burger’s life and achievements, introducing visitors to other glass-instrument makers as well and shedding light on wider scientific and technological developments.