Gehlberg was an established glass production site until the fall of the Berlin Wall, with its origins dating back to the establishment of a glassworks in 1644/45. The glassworks operated from this time until 1995.

Emil Gundelach began industrial production of the first X-ray tubes here in the museum complex in 1896, immediately after the discovery of X-rays, and quickly became the world's leading manufacturer. One specimen is still in the Leipzig University Hospital today, another in the Science Museum in London.

The museum documents the history of the "Gerechtigkeits-Hütte", which was founded in 1645, and the subsequent glassworks. Typical glassmaking and blowing tools are on display, as well as the world's largest tube.