The Glass Age

[Gary7]

Found this really fascinating. We do take glass for granted, while the technology in making it has changed significantly, resulting in various "flavors" of glass that would seem to be magic to people prior to the 20th century.
WITHOUT GLASS, THERE WOULD BE NO INTERNET as we know it.

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[Christopher]

I'd like it better if it weren't an extended Corning commercial, but it's nice to see Adam and Jamie together again -- and surprising that they convinced Jamie to do it. And the subject matter was sort of interesting and somewhat sciencey. I hope it's not too long before they start making drinking glasses out of those flexible or break-resistant glass formulations. I'm tired of how every set of drinking glasses I buy eventually ends up with only one surviving member.

 

[Gary7]

Yeah, the "infomercial" quality shows through a bit, but being familiar with some of Corning's tremendous achievements, I'm not all that bothered--it's an amazing company.

Actually, they do have break resistant wine glasses available these days, but they aren't invincible. I have a friend who has them and it took like 5 years before one of them broke. But yes, would be really cool if a wine glass could be made of this flexible glass material without obnoxious high cost.

I'm puzzled about the windshields... not understanding why they wouldn't use Gorilla Glass on both sides with the resin in between. Maybe there's a certain amount of energy that needs to be absorbed in order for the opposite side to survive.

 

[Christopher]

I'm puzzled about the windshields... not understanding why they wouldn't use Gorilla Glass on both sides with the resin in between. Maybe there's a certain amount of energy that needs to be absorbed in order for the opposite side to survive.

Maybe a cost-saving measure. Keeping the interior glass from shattering is more important for the occupants' safety.

 

[Gary7]

Maybe a cost-saving measure. Keeping the interior glass from shattering is more important for the occupants' safety.

Yeah, that makes sense. Also... wouldn't want to put the glass replacement people out of business, now would we?

 

[Owain Taggart]

One interesting story regarding Corning that I'm surprised they hadn't mentioned given how iconic it was for its time was how Palomar's 200" mirror was manufactured and transported via train to California, which was an impressive achievement for its time.

 

[publiusr]

Wizards and glass...