In the early 1900s, French scientist Édouard Bénédictus was about to change the world of glass—and it all started with a lucky accident in his laboratory. One day, Bénédictus knocked over a glass flask, but instead of shattering into dangerous shards, the flask cracked but held together in one piece. How could this be?

Curious about the flask’s strange behavior, Bénédictus investigated and discovered that the flask had previously held cellulose nitrate, a sticky, plastic-like liquid. Although the liquid had dried, it left behind a thin coating on the inside of the glass, which prevented the pieces from flying apart when the glass broke. This accidental discovery sparked the idea that glass could be made safer by coating it with a protective layer.

From Lab Accident to Windshields

Bénédictus saw the potential in this discovery and quickly got to work developing safety glass. He patented his idea in 1909, calling it "Triplex Glass", which consisted of two layers of glass with a thin layer of cellulose nitrate in between. This new type of glass would crack if broken but stay intact, greatly reducing the danger of flying shards.

The invention caught the attention of automobile manufacturers. At the time, car accidents often resulted in severe injuries due to shattered windshields. With the introduction of safety glass, windshields became much safer for drivers and passengers alike. By the 1920s, automakers began adopting safety glass for their vehicles, making cars safer for everyone on the road.

Beyond Cars: Safety Glass Everywhere

The success of safety glass didn’t stop at cars. It soon found its way into buildings, public transportation, and eyewear. By the mid-20th century, laminated safety glass became the standard in many industries, protecting people in all sorts of situations, from high-rise windows to protective goggles.