East Germany invented 'unbreakable' drinking glasses (theguardian.com)

Article summary

East Germany developed 'unbreakable' drinking glasses called Superfest in the 1980s, which were designed to last five times longer than ordinary glasses. The glasses were made using a special technology that replaced sodium ions with potassium ions, making them more durable. Despite their durability, the company that produced them went bankrupt after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today, the glasses are highly sought after and a Berlin startup is trying to revive the technology.

Main themes

• East German innovation
• Sustainable design
• Glass production technology
• Market demand
• Recyclability
• Durability

What commenters say

• The development of unbreakable glasses is not a significant improvement if they are not recyclable and may even be sharper when they break, causing more harm.
• The main benefit of longer-lasting glasses is not the reduction of waste, but the reduction of safety concerns and economic costs associated with broken glasses.
• The idea of unbreakable glasses is not new and has been explored by other companies, such as Corning, which developed a similar technology independently.
• The cost of producing durable glasses may not be significantly higher than regular glasses, and the energy required to produce them should be reflected in their price.
• The concept of 'unbreakable' glasses is misleading, as they can still break under certain conditions, and a more accurate term would be 'shatter-resistant'.
• The use of commercial dishwashers can cause scratches on glassware, not due to abrasion, but because glass is slightly soluble in alkaline water.
• The argument that glasses need to be replaced regularly due to hygiene concerns is not supported by evidence and may be a case of planned obsolescence.
• The development of durable glasses may not be a significant improvement if the cost is too high and the benefits are not clearly demonstrated.