From that memorable day in the Garden of Eden when Eve ate that apple, which may literally be called the fruit of all knowledge, woman has been at the bottom of everything: it was a woman who got it into her head that she wanted a glass dress. How did it happen? Thus: In the middle of May, 1893, women from all parts of the earth took Chicago by storm. Theirs was the first of one hundred congresses, and among many artists was Georgia Cayvan, whose record on and off the stage does credit to her head and heart. Of course the clever actress visited the Fair and of course she followed the multitude and found herself watching the process of making American glass. It was not long before Miss Cayvan's quick eye was attracted by an exhibit of spun and woven glass lamp shades.
"Do you mean to say those shades are spun out of glass?" she exclaimed; "the material resembles silk."
"Nevertheless it is glass," replied the attendant.
"Is it possible to make a glass dress?"
"Why not? It is not only possible but eminently feasible."
"Would it be very expensive?"
"Twenty-five dollars a yard."
This was a deal of money to invest in an experiment, as at least twelve yards are needed for a gown, but when a woman wills she wills, especially when she is intimately acquainted with her own mind. Miss Cayvan knows hers perfectly, and in a few minutes she exacted from the Company a promise not only to spin her many yards of glass cloth for a white evening costume, but she obtained from them the exclusive right to wear glass cloth on the stage. "It is agreed," said actress and manufacturer in chorus, and off hied the former to New York, where at the end of four weeks she received her material direct from the Midway Plaisance. How to make it up was the next question, for Madame la Modiste vowed she wouldn't touch such material with scissors and needles.
