VOA标准英语2015--耐热玻璃器皿诞生100周年

 Heat-resistant¹ Glassware Celebrates 100th Anniversary 耐热玻璃器皿诞生100周年

One hundred years ago, a new brand of kitchenware named Pyrex entered the American market, firmly imprinting² its name into the psyche³ of consumers. It is still being manufactured while the early models are now collectors’ items.

The characteristic sound of putting the lid on a Pyrex dish is recognizable to many, as it can be heard in kitchens all over the world.

Heat resistant glass was invented in Germany at the end of the 19th century, but was used mostly in lanterns and in jars to hold telegraph and telephone batteries.

Its usefulness as cookware was discovered by accident. A scientist from the Corning Glass Works manufacturing company in New York brought his wife a sawed-off battery jar made of the so-called borosilicate glass, resistant to heat and mechanical abuse.

“She proceeded to bake a cake, a sponge cake, in this battery jar. And she discovered that the baking was much more efficient, and much more even than baking in ceramic⁴ or metal was,” said Kelley Elliott, of the Corning Museum of Glass.

Elliott added that when it finally appeared on the market in 1915, Pyrex dishware became an instant hit.

At first, dishes were made of clear glass, but the company soon started offering it in colors popular at that time.

Owner of the vintage homeware shop Aunt Katie’s Attic⁵, in Scotia, New York, Kate Halasz, said these retro-colored dishes are much sought-after among collectors.

“It's kind of crazy! But the popular patterns are the pinks, the turquoises," said Halasz. "The friendship pattern is a pattern that came out in the 70s. That's highly collectible.”

Because it is not affected⁶ by temperature changes, borosilicate glass is also being used for astronomical⁷ instruments, such as the 5.1 meter telescope mirror at Mount Palomar Observatory⁸.

As for Pyrex dishes, they are still being manufactured by companies that bought the rights to this recognizable brand name.

1 resistant   

adj.(to)抵抗的，有抵抗力的

参考例句：

• Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。
• They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。

2 imprinting   

n.胚教，铭记（动物生命早期即起作用的一种学习机能）；印记

参考例句：

• He gathered her to himself, imprinting kisses upon her lips and cheeks. 他把她抱过来，吻着她的嘴唇和面颊。 来自辞典例句
• It'seems likely that imprinting is an extreme case of conditioning. 看来似乎铭记是适应的一种极端的情况。 来自辞典例句

3 psyche   

n.精神；灵魂

参考例句：

• His exploration of the myth brings insight into the American psyche.他对这个神话的探讨揭示了美国人的心理。
• She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche.她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。

4 ceramic   

n.制陶业，陶器，陶瓷工艺

参考例句：

• The order for ceramic tiles has been booked in.瓷砖的订单已登记下来了。
• Some ceramic works of art are shown in this exhibition.这次展览会上展出了一些陶瓷艺术品。

5 attic   

n.顶楼，屋顶室

参考例句：

• Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
• What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理？

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 astronomical   

adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的

参考例句：

• He was an expert on ancient Chinese astronomical literature.他是研究中国古代天文学文献的专家。
• Houses in the village are selling for astronomical prices.乡村的房价正在飙升。

8 observatory   

n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台

参考例句：

• Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
• Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。