I have an idea a similar phenomenon was noted in the question and answer page in the back of New Scientist magazine a few years ago but I am not sure if that would be on line, or how to find it.
For what it's worth it was antique, quite old (not one of yours, Johnny UK!)
5 comments:
Maybe this is a start:
http://www.expertexpert.com/tough.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_glass_breakage
-R. A. Wilderson
Steve - I had the same thing happen to a new red wine goblet just a couple of months ago before we moved. It was sitting rim side down on a dish towel on the kitchen counter and when I picked it up the top 1/2 inch wa still sitting on the counter - perfectly clean break.
Connie
Connie: Exactly.
Arthur--why would the break(s) be so even?
Arthur--why would the break(s) be so even?
That's a quite simple question to answer; I have no idea.
From the New Scientist article you earlier alluded to:
http://www.newscientist.com/backpage.ns?id=mg19125712.100
it sounds like the manufacturing process somehow predisposes the glasses to have a fault there, and one that can propogate extremely quickly and cleanly.
Steve
Sad to see the glass that I remember , full and empty , so often part of your "conversational gesturing " - almost a part of your hand , Steve!
One good thing is that it looks like you may be able to salvage what remains as a smaller glass ( no good for you or me, of course!)- maybe by having the rim "ground " to make a new edge?
I always put my fine gasses, "base down ", but that way you get more chips( which then need to be ground !). The answer , like all fine things, is to use them , and enjoy them, don't cossett them too much and when they wear up, get another!!- Better used, enjoyed and broken , than in a cupbord as an heirloom ( same for shotguns , as well, of course) - all these artefacts were designed for use, not value appreciation , or hoarding !
JohnnyUK
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