William Glass
William Glass (1881- ), engineer by trade. As well as publishing the Glass' Guide to Used Vehicle Values, he had an innovative and enquiring mind and made a number of inventions including the portable hydraulic jack, the electric switch-off kettle, the self-filling fountain pen and the through-the-propeller machine gun firing mechanism.
1881 Born in Edinburgh
Educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh; Crystal Palace School of Engineering; Kings College Engineering School
Joined Motor Manufacturing Co
Founded Firefly Motor Co
Glass’s other innovations included the first motor auction and the first uniformed attendants at petrol filling stations.
1933 Founded Glass’s and published the first Glass’s Guide to Car Values in July that year.
The company expanded into commercial vehicle, motorcycle and caravan values in the 1950s and ’60s, and today provides customers with information in print, electronic and online formats.