# A Glass that CAN NOT BE KNOCKED OVER **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 26, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666 "2014-11-26T13:50:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kamakiri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f04885/32.png) [@Kamakiri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamakiri)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/21 "2014-11-26T15:31:41Z")
How about a “Gecko” glass? Has that amazing non glue surface that adheres to practically anything, yet will not be able to budge without considerable force (ie. not a force like being lightly brushed by a sleeve or a hand). Such glass-makers would make a fucking fortune by selling to airlines/transportation companies. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/22 "2014-11-26T15:46:09Z")
> [@Kamakiri](#): > > I don’t need a glass that keeps drinks cold (and sweats so much that it falls out of your hands if you even DARE pick it up) or some other “Picnic” glass that is DESIGNED to be knocked over with the finger push of an infant – JUST GIVE ME A GLASS THAT HOLDS MORE THAN A CAN OF COKE THAT WILL NOT TIP OVER IF YOU SMASH IT WITH A HAMMER. > > Is this SO MUCH TO ASK FOR? > > You can file this under “Frustration at stupid human engineers.” Our top scientists and engineers at national research labs around the nation including Argonne, Idaho Falls, Livermore, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pasadena, Princeton, Sandia, and elsewhere are hard at work revising the laws of physics to conform to your requirements, including reformulating the Navier-Stokes equations to prevent liquid from leaving a vessel except via your mouth. In the meantime, we offer [this interim solution](http://www.oxo.com/p-988-straw-cup-11-oz.aspx?id=1562) in the hopes that it will at least prevent you from spilling your juice all over yourself. We also recommend [protective clothing](http://www.oxo.com/p-988-straw-cup-11-oz.aspx?id=1562) in case these initial measures prove inadequate. No need to thank us; it’s all part of the service we provide to humanity. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/23 "2014-11-26T15:55:42Z")
> [@Kamakiri](#): > > How about a “Gecko” glass? Has that amazing non glue surface that adheres to practically anything, yet will not be able to budge without considerable force (ie. not a force like being lightly brushed by a sleeve or a hand). > > Such glass-makers would make a fucking fortune by selling to airlines/transportation companies. The problem with things like suction cups or electromagnets or glue or heavy weight keeping your glass upright is that you have to pick the glass up eventually, and breaking the suction of your suction cup will likely result in the glass suddenly breaking free and shooting up, sending your liquid flying everywhere. Electromagnets can have the same effect – in many cases you can induce magnetization in your core, or whatever, so that the magnetic field doesn’t all go away when the current’s off. You don’t have to go to those extremes. You could do something like they did in the original Skylab. The astronauts wore special boots that kept them on the floor – only they weren’t magnetic or Velcro – they had what looked like “mushrooms” cleats on the bottom, with the “head” away from the sole. These mechanically interlocked with a grid on the surface intended to be the “floor”. You put your foot down so that the cleats went through the grid, then slide your foot slightly sideways, and the “mushroom heads” locked you in place. You can make a glass/cup/mug with a dedicated base that you secure to the surface with glue/a strong magnet/nails/suction cup/Velcro/whatever. The base mates to the underside of your cup with some sort of mechanical locking mechanism – those mushroom cleats, or a half-screw, or a bayonet clip with a release in the cup handle, or whatever. That way you have a secure, un-tippable base, a mug/cup that fits securely into it, and is easy to release without flinging your contents all over the room when you want to pick it up. I hear you saying “Velcro”. Don’t just put Velcro on the bottom of your mug and a mating strip on the surface. Not only will the cloth part get wet and disgusting, but you’ll find that Velcro won’t want to let go easily, and you’re back to the suction cup problem. Also, eventually you’ll pull all the loops in the fiber out or break too many of the Velcro hooks, and your Velcro won’t hold anymore, like the straps on an old pair of sneakers. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/24 "2014-11-26T16:18:18Z")
You need a glass with legs that’s a miniature version of the unkickoverable BigDog robot- you bump it and it self-corrects with an angry buzzing sound. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/25 "2014-11-26T16:23:46Z")
Can God create a glass that not even HE can knock over with his elbow while reaching for the remote? ---
**Author:** ![AdamF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/adamf/32/6246_2.png) [@AdamF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdamF)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/26 "2014-11-26T16:24:24Z")
You could go old school with a large ceramic mug. If it is wider than tall, it will slide instead of tipping over. [![](http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/171803/11408890/0/1260597577/Round_ball_mug.jpg) ](http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/171803/11408890/0/1260597577/Round_ball_mug.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/27 "2014-11-26T16:43:30Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Can God create a glass that not even HE can knock over with his elbow while reaching for the remote? Why would god need a remote? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/28 "2014-11-26T16:47:13Z")
I think the problem is your table. Replace it with a huge pile of putty, and _everything_ is unknockoverable. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/29 "2014-11-26T16:49:00Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Why would god need a remote? Uh, so he can pause the porn? Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/30 "2014-11-26T17:06:52Z")
Maybe something like this will suit your needs: [http://www.novatech-usa.com/core/media/media.nl?id=31264&c=ACCT119126&h=15ce5e75ec61c7dc41f9](http://www.novatech-usa.com/core/media/media.nl?id=31264&c=ACCT119126&h=15ce5e75ec61c7dc41f9) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/31 "2014-11-26T17:12:01Z")
Yankees. [Y’all have no common sense whatsoever.](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=mason%20jars&sprefix=mason+%2Cgarden) Pull $12 out of your pocket and buy yourself a case of mason jars. Or spend $15[and get the ones with handles.](http://www.amazon.com/Libbey-Drinking-Jar-Handle--Ounce/dp/B0077D5T3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1417022054&sr=1-1&keywords=mason+jars+handle) If you get the ones with a square bottom, they are nearly untippable. If you still feel unprotected, poke a hole in the lid, screw it on and put a straw through. If you are having all-around klutz problems (like I did when I was pregnant) then you can buy plastic ones which are nearly unbreakable. Its true that they don’t fit in most standard drink holders. I would have said that was a negative, but obviously a bonus for you. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/32 "2014-11-26T17:14:43Z")
> [@AdamF](#): > > You could go old school with a large ceramic mug. **If it is wider than tall,** it will slide instead of tipping over. > [http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/171803/11408890/0/1260597577/Round\_ball\_mug.jpg](http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/171803/11408890/0/1260597577/Round_ball_mug.jpg) Maybe what the OP needs isn’t so much a glass or mug, as a bowl with a handle. I was thinking of [these](http://www.amazon.com/SET-OF-Ceramic-Individual-Serving/dp/B00E4FL61Y/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=12AYD5RFRG9BSCNRDJEQ), but after searching, maybe [one of these](http://www.amazon.com/Corningware-French-Pop-Ins-20-Ounce-Plastic/dp/B00LGLHFPU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=12AYD5RFRG9BSCNRDJEQ) would work better. Look at all the stylish colors to choose from. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/33 "2014-11-26T17:18:05Z")
Missed the edit window: [The plastic ones.](http://www.amazon.com/Cupture%C2%AE-Double-Insulated-Plastic-Tumbler/dp/B00J8E2PP2/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1417022203&sr=1-6&keywords=mason+jars+plastic) ---
**Author:** ![Kamakiri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f04885/32.png) [@Kamakiri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamakiri)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/34 "2014-11-26T18:07:38Z")
Thank you all to your answers to tjis extremely weighty porbem. Basically, I realize that 1. I’m fucked 2. not in a good way (one which garners any sympathy of any kind, nor should deserve to) 3. There are children in Biafra who don’t even have cups, let alone ones that spill upon the slightest provocation. 4. My next question will involve something more along the lines of why it is necessary to buy six (6) scratch guards of iPhone, iPad, MacBook/ Macbook Pro design in order to install just one (1) that does not somehow attract a single (1) dust speck that somehow adheres to its sticky, static electric-prone surface to render even six (6) attempts to be too few even when you convert your entire bathroom into a dust-, static free zone, and why can’t I (I) get in on this incredibly lucrative, infallible business that tempts the untalented among us to actually convince ourselves that we can do these things without professional help. To those that helped – a million escudos. To those that tried, an Einstein Stereo Pancake award, and to all the rest, thanks for just being there during these trying times, with no meds. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/35 "2014-11-26T18:24:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Have a look at this guy’s website, and his search for the Untippable Glass: > > [http://unspillablecup.yolasite.com/](http://unspillablecup.yolasite.com/) Hah. I have an 8-year-old. Kids will pick this cup up by the bumper, and there go all the contents onto the floor. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/36 "2014-11-26T19:08:06Z")
It’s not difficult to find ceramic mugs like [this](http://www.lechatnoirboutique.com/proddetail.php?prod=CMNYCBigAppleSpillProof&cat=99). A glass of that design might be harder to come by. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/37 "2014-11-26T19:29:39Z")
I’d look into glasses and cups made to be used aboard ships & submarines - they typically have a wider & weighted base so as to not tip over when the boat rocks this way and that. [Like so](https://img1.etsystatic.com/027/0/6858532/il_340x270.602531245_h7ve.jpg). Not sure if they make 'em out of plastic though (the only ones I came in contact with were glass glasses and ceramic mugs) ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/38 "2014-11-26T19:36:49Z")
How about this as a simple DIY solution: take a tea cup with a saucer and glue the saucer to the bottom of the tea cup? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/39 "2014-11-26T19:38:16Z")
A friend of mine was told she couldn’t bring her wine to her child’s swim meets because of the danger that broken glass would wind up on the deck. So she started bringing one of [these.](http://gizmodo.com/5962538/spill-proof-sippy-cup-wine-glasses-solve-your-drinking-problem) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666/40 "2014-11-26T19:43:37Z")
Or maybe you are looking at the [wrong end of the problem.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mv7OhXYThk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666.md?page=3)