History at a glance
- Separate Bénédictus’s 1903 laboratory account from his 1909 patent.
- Recognize the 1928–1931 Ford Model A as one documented adoption milestone.
- Remember that laminated glass can break; the interlayer helps retain fragments.
From an observation to a patent
The Saint-Gobain Archives recount Édouard Bénédictus’s account of a 1903 laboratory accident: a broken glass flask retained its shape because the fragments stayed together. That story is distinct from the patent for laminated glass that he filed in 1909.
Safety glass reaches a familiar car
The Henry Ford’s archival description states that laminated safety glass was standard equipment on the 1928–1931 Ford Model A. It is one milestone in the adoption of laminated safety glass in automobiles.
What laminated glass does
Laminated glass bonds glass sheets with a plastic interlayer. The glass can still break, but the interlayer helps retain fragments. “Shatterproof” is therefore not an accurate description. Damaged auto glass still needs assessment.
Sources
For present-day windshield decisions, explore our questions to ask about windshield installation, ADAS windshield calibration guide and windshield replacement services.