Editing Stemware (section)

== History ==
The glass stemware, with either flat or domed feet, appeared in Middle Ages. Prior to that, a typical drinking vessel made of glass was either a [[Tumbler (glass)|tumbler]] (unlike the modern ones, these have rounded bases and could literally tumble) or a pointed-base design intended for insertion into the ground or streambed for cooling.{{sfn|Von Drachenfels|2000|p=296}} 

The early designs of the foot used thick rims manufactured by folding edges of the foot over itself. This prevented cracking, but increased the weight of the glass, so in England, simple flat bases appeared once the [[excise tax]], based on the vessel weight, was introduced in 1745.{{sfn|Von Drachenfels|2000|p=296}}