  We show that no matter how slowly a quantum-to-classical symmetry breaking
process is driven, the adiabatic limit can never be reached in a macroscopic
body. Massive defect formation preempts an adiabatic quantum-classical
crossover and triggers the appearance of a symmetric non-equilibrium state that
recursively collapses into the classical state, breaking the symmetry at
punctured times. The presence of this state allows the quantum-classical
transition to be investigated and controlled in mesoscopic devices by supplying
externally the proper dynamical symmetry breaking perturbation.
