FLEXIBLE GLASS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3719, 16 November 1926, Page 7

FLEXIBLE GLASS

You remember flic old tale, says the ‘Glass Container’ (New York), of how a banished architect returned to Rome and appealed to Tiberius that ho might remain in his native land. He piesented the Emperor with a glass cup, which the latter much admired. To ensure further favor he then asked the return of the cup and threw it upon the floor with much force, causing it to he dented, hut not broken. lie restored the cup to its original condition by means of a hammer. The Emperor was amazed, and inquired whether others know the secret, and, being assured that they did not, ordered the artist to he beheaded. He tea red that if such knowledge should ho imparted to others (hey might make gold and silver worthless. \\c lead lurther: Dr Fritz Poliak and Hr Kurt Kipper, of Vienna, have no fear of fatal consequences. In these days ol progress new scientific developments arc welcomed. In our opinion glass has already proved itself of far more value than gold or silver —-figuring in terms ol beneficial results to mankind in general. Their now malleable glass is said to be nonspliniahle, ton times clearer tfian ordinary glass, and easily bent. A ball of the'substance, when dropped on the tloor, will hoiim-e better than a goll ball. It will absorb any kind ol dye, and delicate vegetable dyes can be used to color it. It can be made into imitation meerschaum pipes, cigar holders, fancy umbrella handles, and doin’ nobs. In many instances it can ho used in place of rubber or vulcanite. Its uses as suitable material for automobile wind shields seem apparent. One valuable property of fins glass is that it will transmit the ultra-violet ray. and Hie re tore can he used as a shelter for patients requiring’sun treatment; also for greenhouses.