Safety glass is used widely today and
has saved millions of people, especially during vehicular mishaps.
French chemist Edouard Benedictus in 1901 discovered the unique
properties by accident.
When he accidentally bumped a flask, causing it to fall and crash,
he discovered the flask was broken, but not shattered. After
researching, he discovered the glass contained cellulose nitrate,
which served as an adhesive and held the broken pieces together.
"Indestructo" safety glass was originally manufactured by British
Indestructo Glass Ltd of London. This glass was first used as gas
masks during WWI and has become a standard in manufacturing
windshields since 1939 and many other items today.