Forum: Lost Stories

for the last few days I've got that thing in the back of my head and it drives me crazy ...

it's just a tiny detail in a story but that thing is eating me, and I can't place it >.<

I'm not sure of the context, could be some spy story or a political one, it's something about the MC having the windows of his house changed with optical glass (so if a sniper was to try shooting through the window he'd miss by several feet)

initially I thought it was from Fantasylover (either Lucky Jim II or Matt's Crazy Corner of the World) but so far I'm lucking out

could someone have a clue about that and help me? ¯(°_o)/¯

please? (｡◕‿◕｡)

t's something about the MC having the windows of his house changed with optical glass (so if a sniper was to try shooting through the window he'd miss by several feet)

The glass would have to be very thick to get that much distortion. At that point, why not go with Lexan?

now you know at least one of the reasons it drives me crazy ¿ⓧ_ⓧﮌ

Flint glass layered with standard glass sandwiching a dense gas or vacuum can achieve the effect. Especially with the right combination of materials designed with snells law and the index of refraction in mind. No noticeable curvatures are needed.

However, it would have no effect if it had a zero angle of incidence from a sniper. It also would not distort in terms of feet, but rather inches. A noticeable curvature could cure that, but then again, it would be something a sniper could counter.

If you want to see an example, tape a paper target to the head rest of your car, then stand in front of it with a laser pointer at night. Play with the angle of incidence for the laser as measured against the target. Alternatively, a convertible car windshield will demonstrate this as well. Just slowly raise your head above the windshield while staring forward. The effect is slight but noticable.

The only story that I have seen that has mentioned curved glass in regard to protection properties was Ernest Bywater's Finding Home.

Large thick curved bullet resistant glass is used in repairing damage at his hotel, his new construction home and repairs at the home of a friend. I know some properties of the glass were discussed in the story but do not recall the specifics.

you'll want to read one of the works from Landrious1

https://storiesonline.net/a/Landrious1

sounds like day at the mall
https://storiesonline.net/s/53165:103228

Wouldn't an one-way mirror be sufficient? You can even by one-way film to cover your existing glass.