An apparatus (10) is provided for inspecting a flexible glass ribbon. In one example, the apparatus includes at least one storage roll (16) for storing a length of the flexible glass ribbon (12). In another example, the apparatus further includes an inspection device (50). In yet another example, the inspection device can inspect a characteristic of an unrolled portion (28) of the flexible glass ribbon (12) spanning along a travel path (14) of the flexible glass ribbon.