PLEXIGLASS THE TRANSPARENT PROTECTOR

[Music] Basic to the life of a premature baby is an enclosure that ensures a controlled environment, is safe from the possibility of breakage, is germfree and transparent, providing complete visibility, at all times. This is a job for plexiglass acrylic plastic. Roman Haw presents Plexiglass, the transparent protector. [Music] But man's need for protection extends throughout his lifetime, against accident, against vandalism. These two are jobs for plexiglass in schools, in industry, in the home. [Music] Last year, replacement of broken glass in the nation's schools cost the taxpayers over $40 million or $15 per pupil, a major item in school maintenance. Glass breakage by accident and wanton destruction is on the increase, accounting for almost onethird of all damage. One city reported that glass breakage alone in schools by vandalism cost a staggering total of $1 million during 1970. [Music] An effective answer to this problem is plexiglass, a transparent, durable material that is only 1/ half as heavy as glass, yet many times more impact resistant. Plexiglass has the clarity of the finest optical glass and is installed in much the same manner as glass. Most importantly, it is economical, particularly when compared to the cost of repeated replacements of glass in high breakage areas. [Music] Increasing numbers of school officials have found in Plexiglass the way of breaking the cycle of damage and replacement as they did at the Washington and Lee High School in Virginia, an elementary school in Indianapolis, a high school in Nevada, industrial and other institutions subjected to damage have reduced the invitation to vandalism by glazing with plexiglass. like this store in Chicago or the Narcotics Institute in New York, where the purpose is to prevent damage and injury that could be caused from within in heavy industry areas or where vandalism is a critical problem. An extremely high impact grade Plexiglass 70, the toughest of all acrylic plastics, withstands the severest test of strength. Even Harmon Kibbru, famed baseball slugger, could not break a 3/16in sheet of Plexaglass 70 in a dramatic test demonstration that pitted the material against his mightiest swing. But the need for protection against breakage does not end with glazing. We live in a time of social unrest where the public protectors themselves need protection against rocks, bottles, and even gunfire during civil disturbances. On police cars, shields of plexiglass provide the necessary protection without interfering with visibility. They can be mounted quickly to meet potential danger and removed easily for normal duty. [Music] For firemen, the hazardous job of threading a hook and ladder through narrow city streets is made safer with enclosures of plexiglass. [Music] With the rise in robberies, banks have sought greater protection for personnel. Laws today demand that protective devices be installed to discourage robbery attempts. Many institutions are using plexiglass which costs 1/3 less than bullet resistant glass is lighter in weight and easier to install. Plexaglass can be cut on the job site to fit specific size requirements. Floors and counters do not need additional support and bracing. Completely transparent plexiglass gives a feeling of openness and welcome even in the thickness of 1 and 1/4 in or more. Used to provide bullet resistance. [Music] [Applause] Here is graphic proof of the value of plexiglass in preventing armed robbery. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Three shots from a 38 caliber pistol only marred the surface. There is no penetration of the 1 and 1/4 in thick plexiglass. Even in thinner sections, plexiglass is a tough transparent barrier to sneak thieves, preventing easy access to open cash drawers. Most accidents occur right in the home. At the end of 1971, 14 states with over half the nation's population have passed safety glazing laws which prohibit the use of common window glass in hazardous locations around the home. Plexaglass meets the exacting requirements set forth by the American National Standards Institute on which these laws are based. Plexiglass is readily available to homeowners through local hardware stores, building supply dealers, and glass dealers. Shower and tub enclosures too must use approved safety glazing material. Another place where Plexiglass provides protection with transparency. But the protection afforded by Plexiglass with its lightweight and extreme toughness documented by its breakage resistance in this falling ball test is not limited to the prevention of accidents and vandalism. Plexiglass is a versatile building material that helps man control his environment. Plexiglass guarantees good shopping days regardless of the weather and provides a glamorous daylighted atmosphere as in this shopping center in New Jersey or this one in Las Vegas, Nevada. Another in Houston, Texas. And this one in El Paso, Texas. [Music] Motel and hotels have discovered the advantage of controlling the environment, making swimming pools a yearround attraction. The lightweight of plexiglass, its toughness, weather ability, and ease of forming to a variety of shapes makes possible enclosures like Mand and his world in Montreal, the largest transparent building in the world. [Music] Because Plexiglass is made in a range of transparent gray and bronze colors, designers and builders can control solar glare and heat to meet a specific need. Any material that protects man against the elements must itself resist change and loss of strength upon continuous exposure to all types of weather. Plexaglass has demonstrated this ability. Exposed outdoors for more than a quarter of a century, it still retains its high impact strength, surface gloss, and light transmitting properties. Dome skylights are a dramatic example of the durability of Plexiglass under all climates and conditions. They are installed in homes, schools, warehouses, factories, and public buildings in all sections of the country and keep their strength and light transmitting properties through years of service. Many are made with solar control plexiglass that gives a clear view to the sky, but controls the sun's heat and glare. [Music] In the world of sports, large flat sheets of plexiglass add an extra measure of protection, letting the spectator be part of the action safely [Music] [Applause] and protect the players in this transparent bullpen in Veteran Stadium in Philadelphia. [Music] In aircraft, plexiglass has been the accepted standard for transparent glazing from World War II to today's jumbo jets. And giant hemispheres formed from single sheets of plexiglass make possible helicopter designs that give the pilot protection with maximum visibility. The established time-tested acrylic plastic plexiglass takes its place as the preferred material between man and the hazards of his environment. Combining beauty with strength and practicality. Plexaglass, the transparent protector.