Science Stuff

The Glass That Laughs in the Face of Hammers (Until It Doesn't)

Here’s a riddle for you: what do you call a glass teardrop that’s stronger than steel at one end but shatters like our one buddy talking to women at the other? Meet Prince Rupert’s Drop, a little piece of science that sounds like a medieval magic spell and behaves like it, too.

Picture this: molten glass dripped into cold water forms a teardrop shape. As it cools, some truly bonkers physics take over. The bulbous end—thick and solid—can take a beating that’d humble an MMA fighter. Smash it with a hammer? Not even a crack. But—and here’s where the fun begins—flick the tail of the drop, and the whole thing explodes in a miniature glass apocalypse.

This isn’t just an old-timey parlor trick. It’s science flexing its muscles.

Why Does This Happen?

It all comes down to stress—glass stress. (Yes, even glass feels stress. Relatable.)

When the molten glass hits cold water, the outer layer cools and hardens almost instantly, shrinking and trapping the still-molten interior. The inside is squeezing against itself while the outside is in tension. It’s like an overly tight water balloon but made of glass. The thick end—the bulb—is so compressively strong that it can absorb the kind of force that would crush steel.

But the tail? That thing’s under so much tension it’s practically vibrating. It’s the weak link in the chain. Snap it, and you release all that pent-up energy at once—sending shockwaves through the drop faster than your eyes can track. The whole thing explodes into dust and tiny shards.

So, yeah. Prince Rupert’s Drop is both the toughest guy in the bar and the most fragile diva on the planet, depending on where you hit it.

Who’s Prince Rupert, Anyway?

Prince Rupert of the Rhine wasn’t just any old royal—he was a 17th-century soldier, pirate, inventor, and general all-around dude. He supposedly brought these glass drops to England as a curiosity to show off to King Charles II’s court. And you know that back in the day, watching one of these explode was the height of entertainment. No Netflix? No problem. You’ve got smashable science magic.

But here’s the kicker: despite being discovered centuries ago, the science behind Prince Rupert’s Drop wasn’t fully understood until the 20th century, when slow-motion cameras finally revealed the shockwave madness happening inside. For something so small and simple, it baffled minds for hundreds of years.

What’s the Takeaway?

Prince Rupert’s Drop is an absurd combo of indestructibility and fragility. It’s science showing off, reminding us that the right amount of tension and pressure can make something weirdly strong... until it suddenly isn’t. Kind of like that buddy who keeps it cool until they absolutely lose their mind at karaoke night.

So, next time someone tries to show off a trick, tell them about the glass drop that can stop a hammer but crumbles at a tap. Prince Rupert’s Drop—tougher than you, weaker than you, all at once.

One of our favorite Youtube channels, Smarter Every Day, has a great video delving more into the science behind this glass enigma. Check it out here.

PLEASE watch this 👇 

Cool Maps

British Columbia divided into three areas of equal population.

Mythical Stuff

Where Does the Word "Narcissist" Come From?

The term "narcissist" might be a buzzword today, but its origins are as ancient as they are fascinating. It all started in Greek mythology with the tragic tale of Narcissus, a figure who has charmed poets, psychologists, and storytellers for centuries.

Narcissus was the guy—stunningly handsome, the kind of person who could walk into a room and leave everyone else questioning their own reflection. But here’s the twist: he couldn’t care less about his admirers. He rejected them all, oblivious to the trail of broken hearts he left behind. His downfall came when he stumbled upon a clear, still pool of water. Peering into its depths, he saw his own reflection and fell head over heels—for himself. Unaware it was just an image, he became so obsessed that he wasted away by the water’s edge, unable to pull himself away. According to one version of the story, the gods took pity on him (or maybe just appreciated the irony) and turned him into the narcissus flower, which still bends toward its reflection near water.

The Roman poet Ovid first captured this tale in his Metamorphoses, framing it as a cautionary story about the dangers of vanity and self-obsession. It was a poetic warning: pride can isolate you, and too much self-love can leave you staring into an empty mirror.

Skip ahead to the early 20th century, and the myth took on new life in psychology. Sigmund Freud introduced “narcissism” to describe a developmental phase where young children focus entirely on themselves before learning to connect with others. Freud also identified pathological narcissism—a darker twist where this self-focus lingers into adulthood, wreaking havoc on relationships and emotional health.

These days, “narcissist” has become shorthand for anyone overly self-absorbed or vain. But in psychology, it’s tied to Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), a condition marked by grandiosity, a constant craving for admiration, and a glaring lack of empathy.

Though modern usage can dilute the term’s origins, its mythical roots remind us that the story of Narcissus is more than just ancient drama—it’s a mirror held up to human behavior, reflecting our timeless struggle with self-love, connection, and, occasionally, a little too much time staring into the metaphorical pool. Narcissists, it seems, are as old as time itself.