Thomas G. Hawkes owner of the largest cut glass firm in Corning, New York, talked Frederick Carder, a successful glass designer at Stevens & Williams Glass Firm in England, into coming to Corning, New York, and establishing a new glass works. This all came about in 1903 when the new glass company, Steuben Glass, opened. Hawkes provided the money and Carder the expertise. Carder agreed to make high quality lead glass blanks for Hawkes cuttting firm. He then could make whatever he wished. It was this freedon, the freedom to create his own glass that brought Carder to Corning.

When Carder came to America, he was alread an accomplished glass designer and chemist. He also knew many of the decorative techniques.