I recently updated my Facebook cover image with a picture of the New Orleans skyline that my lifelong friend, Tim Barrios, took while we were aboard The Norwegian Pearl, also known as The Rock Boat.

image source: Tim Barrios

The skyline includes the International Trade Mart building. This made me recall a story from my youth.

image source: Wikipedia

My dad worked for Kerr Steamship whose office was on one of the top floors of the International Trademart building in New Orleans. When my dad was considering leasing the space, he noticed that his desk would be near a floor to ceiling window. Actually, he would be sitting at his desk with the window directly behind him. My dad worried that if he fell back out of his desk chair, he would break the glass and plunge to his death. He expressed his concern to the real estate agent. Without hesitation, the real estate agent ran and flung himself against the window with full force. The glass did not break. My dad decided to lease the office space... On move in day, several employees expressed a similar concern about their windows. My dad ran and threw himself against the glass. All fears were assuaged.

Thanks for the catalyst, Tim.

The strength of glass is alive in the lab.