Little Joe Tower — Attraction in City of Corning

"Little Joe" Thermometer Tube Draw Tower Little Joe draw tower The old thermometer-tubing draw tower stands as a monument to Corning's technology leadership. When built in 1919 the tower replesented a great step forward in tubing production technology-the vertical draw. Before Corning introduced the patented vertical draw, tubing was made on the factory floor. First a gather of glass was shaped into a cylinder, which was then stretched horizontally between two workmen as they backed away from each other. The last tubing was drawn in the tower in June 1973. The 185-foot tower is now restored and preserved as a historical landmark. The blue gaffer symbol painted at the top is affectionately known as Little Joe. Gaffer Symbol The Little Joe gaffer symbol dates back to It was taken from a sketch made by an itinerant painter who visited a glass factory in Pittsburgh. The symbol has undergone a series of graphic modifications, and today is a Corning trademark. The vertical draw process revolutionized the production of Prior to the draw tower innovation, thermometer tubing was made by hand. The Little Joe tower is a familiar landmark to visitors and Cornina. N.Y Since its origin in 1851, Corning has been renowned for its expertise in glass technology. One of the company's earliest products was thermometer tubing, which was hand-drawn for many years. In 1897, Corning patented a vertical tube-drawing process, beginning a series of innovations that would drive thermometer tubing sales to more than S2 million by 1968. Over the years, Corning has manufactured many drawn-glass products, including neon tubing, electronic component tubing, and its current flagship product: optical fiber. In 1954, Corning employees produced the largest piece of thermometer tubing ever made. Corning still makes drawn-glass Products, Including optical fiber...

A landmark for Corning right next to the Corning Head Quarter. It was part of the old factory that occupied the area. Build in 1912 to draw long glass tube vertically (part of reason why it's so tall and slim.). There is a status near the tower and a memorial plate on the base. The walkway around is part of the walkway around the whole head quarter grounds. If you have time to go on the other side of the river bank, you can see a different view with the white tower stand out from the hills on the background. By the way, the front gate structure leading to the Corning head quarter building has it unique Mosaic inside its under-Archie. Worth to walk over and take look. Picture yourself before it with the building at the back also...

It's literally just a white tower looming over downtown Corning, but it has a great deal of local significance and ties into the region's history as a pioneer in quality glass manufacturing. If you get up close, you'll find some nice statues and info at the base. Note that you cannot actually enter the tower. (Though it was never meant for that...