Glass bongs are water pipes that are used to smoke herb or tobacco by filtering the smoke through water. They have been around for centuries, but they have gained popularity and recognition in recent decades, especially among cannabis enthusiasts and celebrities. Glass bongs come in various shapes, sizes, colors and designs, and some of them have become iconic symbols of cannabis culture and art. In this blog post, we will review some of the most famous and iconic glass bongs in history and culture, and what makes them stand out from the rest.
The History of Glass Bongs
Glass bongs are believed to have originated in Asia, where ancient cultures used bamboo tubes or pipes to smoke various substances. The word “bong” comes from the Thai word “baung”, which means a cylindrical wooden tube or pipe. The first glass bongs were made in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and they were used to smoke tobacco. Glass bongs were also used in India, Persia, Africa and other parts of the world, where they were known by different names, such as hookah, narghile, shisha or water pipe.
Glass bongs became popular in the West in the 1960s and 1970s, when hippies and counterculture movements embraced cannabis as a recreational and spiritual substance. Glass bongs were seen as a safer and smoother way to consume cannabis, as the water cooled down the smoke and filtered out some of the harmful toxins and tar. Glass bongs also allowed for bigger and more potent hits, which enhanced the effects of cannabis. Glass bongs became a symbol of cannabis culture and a way to express one’s personality and style.
The Best Glass Bong Brands
Today, there are many glass bong brands that offer high-quality, innovative and artistic glass bongs for different tastes and budgets. Some of the best glass bong brands are:
- Grav Labs: A winner in the “best value” category, Grav Labs is among the top bong brands due to its excellent quality and accessible price point. Based in Austin, Texas, Grav Labs uses American manufacturing and American glassblowers to create exquisite water pipes and dab rigs with precision cut glass and diamond clarity. Grav Labs is known for its simple yet elegant designs, such as the Helix line, which features a unique air chamber that creates a swirling vortex of smoke for a smoother hit.
- Illadelph Glass: Combining beauty and technology, Illadelph is consistently listed among the best glass bong brands. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Illadelph Glass was founded in 2002 by Luca Fiume, a master glassblower who wanted to create functional art pieces that could withstand the test of time. Illadelph Glass is known for its intricate and detailed designs, such as the coil condenser line, which features a detachable freezable glycerin coil that cools down the smoke for an icy hit.
- Roor: Roor is one of the most prestigious and respected glass bong brands in the world. Founded in Germany in 1995 by Martin Birzle, a renowned glassblower who wanted to create high-end water pipes that combined scientific precision and artistic flair. Roor is known for its flawless craftsmanship and impeccable quality, using only premium borosilicate glass and joints that are fire-polished for a smooth finish. Roor is also known for its collaborations with famous artists and celebrities, such as Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill and B-Real.
- Zob Glass: Zob Glass is another top glass bong brand that offers high-quality water pipes at affordable prices. Based in Los Angeles, California, Zob Glass has been making glass bongs since 2004, using American-made materials and skilled glassblowers. Zob Glass is known for its innovative percolators that provide excellent filtration and diffusion of smoke, such as the wubbler line, which features a hybrid design that combines a bubbler and a beaker for optimal performance.
- Empire Glassworks: Empire Glassworks is one of the most creative and colorful glass bong brands in the market. Based in Placentia, California, Empire Glassworks has decades of experience creating beautiful handcrafted glass art pieces that are inspired by nature, pop culture and fantasy. Empire Glassworks is known for its whimsical and detailed designs, such as the Under the Sea Oil Rig, which features a vibrant array of sea creatures and coral reefs.
The Most Famous and Iconic Glass Bongs in History and Culture
Some glass bongs have become more than just water pipes, they have become cultural icons and historical artifacts that represent the evolution and diversity of cannabis culture and art. Some of the most famous and iconic glass bongs in history and culture are:
| Name | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| The Bong of Destiny | The Bong of Destiny is a fictional glass bong that appears in the 2006 comedy film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass. The Bong of Destiny is a legendary water pipe that is said to give its user incredible musical talent and inspiration. The Bong of Destiny is a large and elaborate glass bong that features a dragon head, a guitar neck, a pentagram and the words “Tenacious D”. The Bong of Destiny is a symbol of the power and humor of rock music and cannabis culture. | |
| The Tommy Chong Bong | The Tommy Chong Bong is a real glass bong that was created by Tommy Chong, a famous comedian, actor and cannabis activist who is best known for his role as Chong in the Cheech & Chong movies. The Tommy Chong Bong is a simple yet elegant glass bong that features a clear tube, a beaker base, a diffused downstem, an ice catcher and a bowl with Tommy Chong’s signature. The Tommy Chong Bong is a symbol of the legacy and influence of Tommy Chong on cannabis culture and comedy. | |
| The Mothership Fab Egg | The Mothership Fab Egg is a real glass bong that was created by Mothership Glass, a high-end glass company that was founded in 2012 by Scott Deppe and Jake Colito. The Mothership Fab Egg is one of the most expensive and sought-after glass bongs in the world, costing up to $100,000. The Mothership Fab Egg is a complex and beautiful glass bong that features a faberge egg design, which consists of multiple holes and chambers that create a vortex of smoke for an amazing hit. The Mothership Fab Egg is a symbol of the artistry and craftsmanship of glass blowing and cannabis culture. | |
| The Snoop Dogg Pounds Spaceship | The Snoop Dogg Pounds Spaceship is a real glass bong that was created by Snoop Dogg Pounds, a line of glass bongs and rigs that was launched in 2017 by Snoop Dogg, one of the most famous rappers and cannabis enthusiasts in the world. The Snoop Dogg Pounds Spaceship is a small and sleek glass bong that features a spaceship design, which consists of a cone-shaped chamber, a bent neck, a fixed downstem, a quartz banger and a carb cap. The Snoop Dogg Pounds Spaceship is a symbol of the style and innovation of Snoop Dogg and cannabis culture. | |
| The Trailer Park Boys Silibongs | The Trailer Park Boys Silibongs are real glass bongs that were created by Famous Brandz, a leading distributor of glassware that has partnered with various celebrities and brands. The Trailer Park Boys Silibongs |
