Novelty Glass Company of Fostoria was one of over 70 glass manufacturing companies that operated in northwest Ohio during the region's brief Gas Boom in the late 19th century. The company made bar goods, stemware, and novelties. Organization began late in 1890, with banker Rawson Crocker as president and veteran glass man Henry Crimmel as plant manager. Production started in February 1891. The plant was built on the site of the former Buttler Art Glass Company (spelled with two "t"s), which had been destroyed by fire in 1889.
During the early 1890s, many manufacturers were producing novelties that honored the 400th anniversary of the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Novelty Glass Company's contribution included commemorative punch bowl sets and salt shakers. Some of this glassware was unusual because it displayed Columbus with a beard. This commemorative work has subsequently become valuable to collectors. Like many companies during northwest Ohio’s brief Gas Boom, Novelty Glass Company was short-lived. The plant was shut down in January 1892, with a restart planned for April. This did not happen, and plant manager Henry Crimmel left the firm for the Sneath Glass Company in Tiffin, Ohio. In October, the Novelty plant was leased to the United States Glass Company, who also purchased the plant's inventory of molds and related equipment. Production began again, and the Novelty works became known as FactoryT in the United States Glass Company conglomerate. Approximately 100 people were employed making drinking glasses and stemware. However, the restart did not last long, because the plant was destroyed by fire in April 1893.