Safety glass invented thanks to a cat

Safety glass invented thanks to a cat

Did you know that a cute cat has saved the lives of countless drivers? The story begins in the mid 19th century, when automobiles were just beginning to become popular.

Early cars were built with an open front and back and without a windshield. As a result, the driver had no choice but to drive while begin hit by wind, stones and dust. Recognizing the need for blinds, automakers launched cars with window glass.

Window glass mad efor domestic use was not transparent but weak in strength. As a result, it was easy to break even with a small impact and it was not uncommon for broken glass fragments to fly in all directions, injuring the driver and passengers. The existence that saved drivers from these problems is none other than cat.

A French scientist, Edouard Benedictus, happened to witness a car crash. When the glass of a car shattered in a collision, seriously injuring one passenger, Benedict felt the need for safe glass. After that, Benedict began research into making glass that was not easily broken. However, despite long efforts, the research did not progres, and a discouraged Benedict abandoned the invention of glass.

One day, 15 years later, a cat invaded his laboratory. The cat, which was running around the laboratory, climbed onto the shelf and dropped all the flasks on display. Benedict made a surpirising discovery when he found an intact flask among a pile of shattered flaks. It was found that the celluloid solution contained in the flask dried and formed a protective film, which held the glass fragments and did not break the flask.

Two years later, Benedictus, who started reserach again with the discovery, released ‘Triplex’, a safety glass with a celluloid film sandwished between two sheets of glass. Safety glass, which was born from a cat accident, is reborn as an automobile windshield, contributing to the safety of drivers.

Windshield, an automobile part that is all too familiar to modern people. So what is the primary role of a windshield? The ultimate goal os installing a windshield in a car is to protect the driver and passengers. Normally, the windshield blocks wind and external impacts and secures the driver’s forward vision. However, in the event of a crash, they are used to prevent the driver and occupants from being thrown out of the vehicle.

On the other hand, the windshield is designed so that the glass is still attached by the plastic film even when an impact is applied. Even when shattered upon impact, the glass fragments do not scatter and crack. This prevents secondary human damage caused by sharp glass fragments and secures driving visibility to reduce the risk of additional accidents.

If it is a high functional widnshield, you can expect additional effects. A windshield with added sound insulation helps reduce outside noise, such as engine noise, and a windshield with darkened glass can protect privacy by not being able to see inside the vehicle.

Irish writer James Joyce said, ‘Mistakes are the beginning of discoveries’. As he said, if cats hadn’t made the mistake of breaking flasks, windshields would have been arounda a long time ago. Also, the appearance of the car may have changed significantly from what it is today. I look forward to another innovative invention coming out of a small incident in everday life.