Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope

by Victor Appleton

Tom Drew out a Shallow Tray

With the aid of a wooden rod Tom pulled out a glass bar about ten inches long and an inch thick. After picking it up carefully he examined it closely. In no way did the object appear different from ordinary glass.

"Well, here goes!" said the inventor and forthwith bent the bar into the shape of a horseshoe!

"Hurrah!" yelled Ned, clapping his friend on the back. "You've done it again, Tom Swift!"

He Bent the Glass

"Don't crow too soon. Perhaps it won't bend back again. If a rod of copper is annealed in a certain way it can be bent ONCE like rubber but then the crystal breaks up and it becomes as rigid as ever. Maybe this glass will act the same way."

"Then try it! Don't keep me in suspense!"

Perhaps Tom had been tantalizing his business manager, or maybe he really was doubtful about the flexibility of the bar. At any rate, when he applied pressure he did not seem surprised when the glass became straight again. Then he proceeded actually to tie a knot in it, so bendable was the new substance!