Abstract: A furnace is provided for the heating of glass sheets to be bent, whereby precise control of the temperature profile across a sheet may be achieved, resulting in improved control over the shape to which the sheet is bent. The furnace has at least one differential heating zone provided with a plurality of main heating elements, and at least one shield for directing heat radiated by said heating elements whereby a controlled differential heating of the glass sheet may be achieved. Transport means, e.g. wheeled boxes, are provided to advance the sheet through the furnace and bending means, e.g. gravity bending ring moulds, may bend the sheet either during, or subsequent to, the heating step.