re: #463 klys

During one of my summer research internships in undergrad, we went and toured one of the Alcoa aluminum recycling facilities (which was really neat). The pools of molten aluminum were amazing.

Of course, the just-cast stuff was terrifying because it’s close to 600 deg C and yet it looks normal (except for the heat mirage). VERY EASY to get yourself badly hurt. I have a cast-sample paperweight somewhere from them.

At Corning, they had a room where melt dripped down through the ceiling into water to form glass. That was also kickass. (And a small fusion draw system, also really cool. And fiber draw towers, but those weren’t in action when we went.)

I collect art glass as a hobby (mostly paperweights) and have gotten to some some very guided glass blowing and lampworking.

Sounds really cool! I love art glass, but don’t collect it as I’m a terrible klutz. I hope to get to visit one of the glass museums someday—maybe Corning since it’s probably the closest. Lucky you on the glass blowing and lampworking!