In
Satyricon, a work of satirical
fiction by
Petronius (c. 27 AD – c. 66 AD), an inventor brought a drinking bowl to the Roman emperor
Tiberius made of
vitrum flexile – translated as either flexible or unbreakable glass – which did not shatter but merely
dented. Tiberius asked if anyone else is aware of the invention. When the inventor replied that he was the only person who knew the secret, Tiberius had him killed, in order to protect the livelihood of the glassmakers. ==See also==