In 1660, Prince Rupert of Germany brought five pieces of tadpole-shaped glass to England and presented them to King Charles II. Although there is no concrete evidence of their first invention, there were already confirmed records of their existence as early as 1625. Many believe these glass drops came from Mecklenburg, Germany, where many fine glass blowers can be found.
The glass did not only capture the interest of the English king, but it also has long captivated scientists for the next 400 years. In a recent study, researchers unveiled the mystery of the glass bead popularly known as the Prince Rupert drop.
The Prince Rupert drop is famous for its glass teardrops with elongated skinny tails, looking like a delicate tadpole. One of the distinguishing features of this bead is the seemingly contrasting behavior of the tail and head.
The tail is so fragile that it can be easily broken by a finger, causing the entire droplet to shatter into fine powder instantly. However, the head is so strong that a hammer cannot damage it. Even a bullet can break apart upon hitting the drop; that is why it can be comparable to the strength of steel.
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