99Each mirror starts with 10,000
slabs of borosilicate glass—18 tons
in all. The stuff is akin to the Pyrex
that holds your leftovers. The team
cleans and inspects every fist-size
block for flaws before inserting each
one into a honeycomb- patterned
mold. Placing the pieces to ensure
they melt into shape evenly takes a
day. The finished motif creates a
kaleidoscope of color as the lab’s
light reflects off it. “It’s just so
awesome,” says mechanical engi-
neer Jeff Kingsley, who oversees
mirror manufacturing. “I always
make sure I am there to see it.”
BEDAZZLING