For the purpose of facilitating the taking of orders, Blenko has, since the beginning, identified each shape with a unique design number. Following is an explanation of these numbering systems.

Prior to 1948 there is currently no evidence we know of to conclusively indicate how design numbers were assigned in this period, though similar designs or variations often appear in series.

There is evidence that the pre-1948 numbering system does not correlate to the post 1953 system in terms of the first two numbers indicating year - at the very least if that system was used it was not used exclusively or consistently. As such one can not infer that, for example design #3724 was designed in 1937. It is however, reasonable to assume, but by no means assured, that pre-1948 design numbers may roughly indicate chronological order.

In some instances the pre-1948 system conflicts with the post 1953 system. For example #517 was designed circa 1940's. However, such conflicts are negligibly rare.

From 1948 to 1953 , during Winslow Anderson's tenure, design numbers are primarily all of the "900" series (from #900 to #999). However, Anderson did design more than 100 designs, including such items as the #497 bar set series.

Letters on design numbers play a secondary role.

Letters following the numbers most commonly indicate size; X, S, M, L, LL (extra small, small, medium, large, extra large).

The many exceptions to this include:
- in early items, letters indicate ornamentation or style (ex: "L" at the end sometimes indicates that "leaf" decorations are added to a shape or "B" at the beginning indicates controlled bubble).
- letters may refer to function in barware as in CT= cocktail glass, HB = highball glass, etc.
- letters may serially distinguish versions of designs in a series as in 65A, 65B, 65C, 65D...)

The only official and universal way to identify a Blenko design is by its number. However, collectors often prefer descriptive or allegorical names and fortunately some such official Blenko names exist.

After and including the year 1960, Blenko catalogs contained no names or descriptive terms, identifying items exclusively by their design number and dimensions.

Below is a list of the 15 official names that are most clearly more than just descriptive terms. A link beneath that lists all other descriptive names that appear in the catalogs.

For a complete list of official and memorable names and descriptions found in the catalogs, click here.

Common Use Names

For a complete list of unofficial common use names click here.