All the Windows in the World
Harold McMaster and Norman Nitschke founded GlassTech Corp. in Perrysburg, Ohio, and invented a machine for making
high-quality, tempered, break-resistant glass that is five times stronger than
regular glass. The secret to tempered glass? When tempered glass breaks, it
crumbles into bits less likely to cause serious cuts.
Glass is Stronger Than Steel
Based on its molecules alone, glass is a material
five times stronger than steel. Defects, bubbles, and other irregularities that
develop during production make glass weaker in the real world. For centuries,
people strove to develop a way to form glass that lived up to its molecular
The research and development team at Glasstech Inc. solved the problem. The
resulting glass was not only extremely clear, but was the world's strongest. In
addition to being acclaimed inventors, McMaster and his partners were smart
business people as well. They received an ongoing royalty from glass produced by
every machine they manufactured. They shared the wealth, however, and over the
years have donated millions of dollars to northwest Ohio institutions including
Defiance College (site of the
McMaster School For
Advancing Humanity), the
Toledo, and the
Medical College of Ohio.
Tempered Glass is Everywhere
Now, tempered glass is essential for windows in skyscrapers, automobiles, and
other applications where huge broken panes of glass would cause significant
damage. An estimated 80% of the world's automotive glass and about half of all
architectural glass is manufactured using the company's machines.
McMaster also developed advances in the process of coating glass with
photosensitive chemicals for use in solar cells, for converting sunlight into
electricity. He had over 100 patents related to glass, rotary engines, and solar
energy. In 1984, McMaster formed Glasstech Solar, Inc., to develop a more
efficient solar cell.
In 1991, McMaster joined Thomas Edison and tiremaker Harvey
as an inductee into the Ohio
Science Hall of Fame.
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