It is normally seen that when an individual struggles out with handling paper which often fly away because of the wind that blows out from fan or other sources it is our secretary who assembles all these papers by simply putting paperweights on the paper. Although the paperweight may seem to be a minute non living thing but it has got great importance. Paperweights are objects that allow huge projects to move on smoothly by keeping the documents in their place.

The origin of paperweight dates back to early 18th century. A French glassmaker made the first paperweight. The best thing about the invention was that this French glassmaker himself did not know the role of the master-piece which he had made. Gradually as time moved on and when people started understanding the right use of this magical tool, its demand increased tremendously in the market. Lot many industries came up in the market who would manufacture paper weights. The rise in demand made the companies increase the price which resulted in its limited use. So till the end of the 19th century it became a luxury item and only elite people were using it.

By the end of twentieth century people got bored with the old and simple paperweights. So the industry started coming up with trendy design which again was a paradigm shift in the field of paperweights. Now graphical designs were made on the glass weights. Its use for controlling the paper got diluted and now it was used as a decorative item. People actually started gifting it as a present in parties as well as birthdays.

The glass paperweights were easy to handle. Also it was meant to see through as it was made up of glass. So this property helped in following ways:-

€ Acted as a magnifying glass for reading the minute characters
€ Easily identifying the characters without actually picking up the paperweight made up of glass
€ Gave a fodder to play to the individual in times when he or she got bored doing the work

The glass made weights are dome in shape and have a concave shaped base. In order to make the paperweight stable its base is polished properly so that it takes the shape of the surface on which it has to be kept. The glass that is used for making the glass paperweights is lead type. However the shape may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also to gain an edge over other manufacturers; some even coat the glass layer with light coloured layers that adds spark to the paperweight.
Even in the 21st century the concept is still the same. Even today its use is considered as an elite object although the audience has increased.