The ingenious engineering behind the bulge in your pint glass
In short: Why does a standard pint glass bulge near the rim? It is not just for grip. This specific design, known as the Nonik, was engineered to solve a series of structural failures, from preventing rim chips to ensuring glasses do not stick together when stacked.
The Nonik glass, characterized by a slight bulge near the top, was a significant evolution in glassware design. While various bulged glass designs existed in the mid-19th century for purposes like securing jar covers, the modern Nonik was a specific innovation by Hugo Pick of Albert Pick & Co. Pick secured two US patents for the design: a design patent on 2 September 1913 and a patent on 18 August 1914. The name itself is a play on its function: 'no-nick.'
The engineering benefits of this bulge are multifaceted. Mechanically, the design provides approximately 40% greater crushing strength and creates a curved surface where the rims touch, which helps prevent the glasses from sticking together when stacked. Furthermore, the bulge acts as a buffer, protecting the rim from impact if the glass is tipped over, thereby reducing breakage. It also improves the user's grip and makes the vessel easier to clean by avoiding the deep curves found in older styles.
While the design has American roots, its popularity in the United Kingdom surged following World War II, notably after Ravenhead Glass introduced a Nonik version in 1948. Drinking habits transformed during this period when glass overtook ceramic and pewter vessels, a decline George Orwell mourned within his 1946 piece, 'The Moon Under Water'.
Today, the glass remains a highly regulated instrument of trade. In the UK, legislation requires certified glassware to ensure volume accuracy. While the EU's Measuring Instruments Directive allowed for third-party certification using the CE mark, the UK has seen a return to the crown certification mark as of September 2021, following the withdrawal from the EU.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Pint glass
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