Corning Incorporated came out with an incredible corporate video called “A day made of glass…. made possible by Corning” that was targeted at large scale investors in technology, sciences, product design, marketing and more. This video has now become viral with almost 9 million YouTube hits. The design potential and inspiration from this video is mind blowing and makes apple look like childsplay… the technology takes the ipad, ipod, iphone  etc. to a whole new potential of an ilife in a merely all glass house. The video portrays an obtainable and not overly fantasy near future world. The video is not to show you the exact uses of the product and how it will impact our world but it does acknowledge that the technology exists and that innovations like these are being developed right now for integration into our future world. Jim Clappin President of Corning Glass states “The consumer trend driving our vision for tomorrow is very clear, we all want to be connected with what we want… when we want… anywhere… and with great ease. Corning’s innovations in glass will enable us to enjoy this journey.”

To get a bit techy on you for some background Corning was the inventor of low loss optical fiber (fiber optics) back in the 70′s. The company specializes in Specialty glass and ceramics through state of the art and ever evolving scientific and manufacturing marvels from world class research and development they have taken this technology to new heights. Their markets include Aerospace and Defense, Astronomy, Display, Metrology Instruments, Semiconductor, Telecommunications and Vision Care. “Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions.” excerpt from corning.com

So whats so special about Corning glass? its thin, sensitive and tough which makes it ideal for smartphones and other electronics… but imagine it brought into the home. Imagine having videochats with family, friends and coworkers from anywhere, interacting with everyday surfaces in a clean and environmentally friendly way. Can you imagine no more nooks and cranies of technology to dry to dust and clean with a toothbrush… simple windex will do the trick. All of the glass products their marketing video show are attainable and can help people stay connected in a world that is becoming more and more overloaded with information, a world where work-life-balance and mental stimulation are on overdrive. Imagine your life becoming easier where your technology knows who you are and what you want to hear about when… news in the washroom while you brush your teeth, directions at intersections, bus stops and in your car… 3D views of yourself in different clothing to make shopping faster and more fun. I can see a whole new industry just from that of virtual fashion consultations and customized product launches… queue Fashionista514 ! and could it be possible that this techology of turning on and off glass frosting could finally make interior designers worst nightmare material Glass Block go away? here is only hoping…

Here are some general myths about glass that Corning has proven wrong time and time again with their innovations:

• Myth 1: Glass is just for windows
• Myth 2: Glass smudges
• Myth 3: All glass is the same
• Myth 4: Glass is heavy
• Myth 5: Glass is fragile
• Myth 6: Glass doesnt bend
• Myth 7: Glass must be thick to be durable
• Myth 8: Glass doesnt last
• Myth 9: Glass shows every scratch
• Myth 10: Glass is low tech

Imagine car and window glass having the capability to go opaque, change colors or shades like in the video… how fun could that be with bathroom and shower stalls, skylights, building facades, glass staircases… and even down to sunglasses, plates and tables. Imagine an evolving catwalk, the future of awards shows and how little space would be required on your desk for technology. Imagine going to the hair salon for a new look and having styles fit for your face shape shown to you as 3D lifelike models… hook that up to a CNC machine and there goes the stylists job (scary thought but seemingly possible)! And what about wine glasses, could this technology label your glass with the vineyard name, country and age to make you an instant know it all? Could your plate tell you what your calorie count is based on ingredients, weight and portion sizes?

This technology however scares me when it comes to theft, cost, vandalism, information security and general T.M.I. (too much information).

Above is a great video on the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY. This museum has the whole history of glass, glassmaking sessions and demos and competitions and labs for designers and artists. Im sure Dale Chihuly has a section in there and if not the museum isnt complete without it. I hope the museum has or will soon have an interactive virtual glass home and workplace display like the one shown in the “a day made of Glass” video.

In very recent and tragic news the March 11, 2011 earthquake that devastated Japan has not affected Cornings staff of Shizuoka and Sakai City plants. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those lives lost in the devastation.

Help Japan via: mymodernmet.com

What are your thoughts? What is the potential of this technology? What may be the drawbacks that affect your day to day life?