From Bamboo Tubes to Modern Glass Culture


Bongs often feel like something fairly modern. A bit of glass, some bubbles, maybe a futuristic percolator that looks like it was stolen from a sci-fi laboratory. But water filtration has actually been around for thousands of years.

The word “bong” is believed to originate from the Thai word *baung*, used for cylindrical bamboo tubes. The earliest versions were indeed made from bamboo, but throughout history people have used everything from wood and metal to coconuts and ceramics to create water filtration systems.

Apparently, humans have always had a natural talent for inventing strange little devices.


Archaeologists have even discovered over 2,400-year-old golden artifacts in graves in Russia that are believed to have been used to inhale herbs through some form of water filtration. Similar systems have appeared throughout Persia, Africa, China and India. Many of these objects were decorated and carried ceremonial or social significance, which makes modern glass culture feel a lot less “modern” than people first assume.


The real explosion came during the 1960s and 70s when glass artists began experimenting with borosilicate glass, the same durable material used in laboratory equipment. Suddenly, it became possible to create far more advanced designs with improved airflow, smoother filtration and increasingly creative constructions.

That’s when glass slowly started transitioning from “practical tool” to “obsession”. Once people began experimenting with percolators, development accelerated quickly. Tree percs, UFO percs, honeycombs, showerheads and matrix systems started appearing in increasingly complex designs aimed at creating cooler, smoother and cleaner filtration.


Triple percs quickly became favorites among people who appreciate ultra-smooth diffusion, while disc percs and honeycombs attracted those chasing maximum bubbles and airflow. Models with cooling chambers and ice catchers also became increasingly popular for anyone looking for cooler hits and a softer overall experience.


Our own ST Premium series is a pretty good example of how far things have evolved. Today the collection ranges from classic beakers and tree perc models to DNA spinners that rotate bubbles through the glass in an almost hypnotic way.


Yes, it’s completely unnecessary.

Yes, it’s also incredibly satisfying to watch.


And maybe that’s exactly where glass culture became something bigger than simple functionality. For many people today, it’s just as much about design, ritual, craftsmanship, personal style and the oddly satisfying feeling of finding a setup that feels exactly right.

A bit like people who build custom keyboards, collect vinyl records or spend unreasonable amounts of money on espresso equipment.


Then the internet took things even further.


During the 2000s, entire communities started forming around glass and filtration. People compared percolators, airflow, drag resistance and setups with the same level of passion tech enthusiasts discuss cameras or hi-fi systems. Function videos featuring bubbles, vortex effects and spinning perc systems spread across forums, YouTube and eventually social media.


And honestly, once you start nerding out about it, the fascination becomes pretty easy to understand.

The way light moves through the glass, the sound of the filtration, the movement of the water and the feeling of a well-engineered setup place modern glass pieces somewhere between design object, engineering and ritual.


That’s also why cleaning and maintenance became such an important part of the culture. A really beautiful piece deserves to be taken care of properly. With the right cleaning products, brushes, screens and accessories, both the filtration and the overall experience stay significantly better over time.


And maybe that’s exactly why bongs continue evolving after all these years.

Humans simply never seem to get tired of improving their bubbles.