The Venetian glass bead making industry
was established around the year 1200 and quickly came to
dominate the world market in bead quality, volume and diversity
until the 20th century. The Venetians traded their glass beads
with Africa for gold and ivory. By 1292 all factories were
relocated minutes away to the island of Murano and glassmakers
were forbidden - under penalty of death - to reveal trade secret
or to set up factories of their own elsewhere. By 1900 Venice
had a monopoly on glass bead making and was exporting 6 million
pounds of beads to the U.S. alone.
