Liquid Glass

[ophic]

yeah it doesn't happen in modern glass windows. But did the old windows really slump? Cos they were made of glass, so if they did, then it ain't entirely a myth.

Originally Posted by ophic

yeah it doesn't happen in modern glass windows. But did the old windows really slump? Cos they were made of glass, so if they did, then it ain't entirely a myth.

No old windows didn't actually slump. Old window manufacturing techniques weren't particularly accurate and glass panes were often thicker on one end. So when windows were fitted they naturally put the thicker end at the bottom. Many years later, people noticed this and assumed that the glass had slumped.

Originally Posted by ophic

yeah it doesn't happen in modern glass windows. But did the old windows really slump? Cos they were made of glass, so if they did, then it ain't entirely a myth.

No, I think the old windows that you see with bulges on the bottom and that are all a bit wobbly are also the very small panes, from when they could only make small sheets of glass. They also couldn't make them all flat very well, so they came out wonky and bulgy. When they were all mounted into the lead-lined window lattices, I think the artisans put them in all the same way round, to at least bring some uniformity to the window. i don't think there is any evidence that they have actually dribbled down a bit. That's what I heard anyway .

Originally Posted by wyrdness

No old windows didn't actually slump. Old window manufacturing techniques weren't particularly accurate and glass panes were often thicker on one end. So when windows were fitted they naturally put the thicker end at the bottom. Many years later, people noticed this and assumed that the glass had slumped.

Snap, at least we agree

[punyXpress]

Originally Posted by timwilky

Correct, but plenty will argue otherwise. I seem to remember the phase viscostatic

Nah - that was BP's multigrade oil back in your day.

[timwilky]

Yes, the term I was thinking of was viscoplastic, I was trying to think back over 30 years ago, and had a few scoops since then