Method of making an optical fiber, with storage in a new bag

The present invention relates generally to a method of making an optical fiber, and methods for fabricating optical fiber preforms, core canes and other precursor elements for making optical fiber. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for protecting an optical fiber preform or a glass precursor element to an optical fiber preform. Disclosed is a method of protecting glass optical fiber preforms and glass precursor elements for making optical fiber preforms, wherein the preform or glass precursor element is stored within a protective bag. The protective bag preferably has anti-static agents incorporated therein. The protective bags can be employed to protect any glass precursor element used in making optical fiber preforms, for example, glass core canes, glass tubes, or the optical fiber preforms themselves.