Description
In 1953 S. Donald Stookey of the Corning Research and Development Division discovered Pyroceram, a white glass-ceramic material capable of withstanding a thermal shock (sudden temperature change) of up to 450 K (840 °F), by accident. Corning Ware, also written CorningWare, was originally a brand name for a unique glass-ceramic cookware.
He was working with photosensitive glass and placed a piece into a furnace planning on heating it to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. When he checked on his sample the furnace was at 900 degrees and the glass had turned milky white. He reached into the furnace with tongs to discard the sample and it slipped and hit the floor without shattering.
The material was used in the ballistic missile program as a heat-resistant material for nose cones.
Corning Ware, also written CorningWare, was originally a brand name for a unique glass-ceramic cookware. Corning Ware’s range/oven-to-table service first featured the white base with blue ‘Cornflower’ pattern decoration, it became the trademark of Corning consumer products for three decades. Following the ‘Cornflower’ pattern, many additional patterns were offered by Corning over the years. The cookware could be used from the refrigerator or freezer and used directly on the stovetop, in an oven or microwave, under a broiler, for table / serving use, and when ready for cleaning put directly into a dishwasher.