Creating some of the toughest structural glass systems in the world is difficult, but in some cases showcasing it is even harder.

The creators of AM-III, an exceptionally strong diamond-like amorphous material, decided to demonstrate this by using it to scratch a diamond.

This is the latest in a long history of people firing rocks, bullets, knives and sometimes themselves at a piece of glass to demonstrate either its strength or its potential to keep people safe when it breaks.

Most of the time, these work out very well, because the test is rehearsed, tried out and experimented with ahead of time to make sure that everything goes alright, because a botched demonstration can cause major reputation, and in some cases, physical damage.

Take for example the launch of the Cybertruck, Tesla’s unusual and supposedly very strong prototype truck that featured armoured glass windows which proceeded to break when steel balls were thrown at them.

By far the most famous story of a demonstration gone horribly wrong was the death of Garry Hoy, a Canadian lawyer who worked for now-defunct firm Holden Day Wilson, then based in Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower Building at the TD Centre.

In 1993 he decided to show off the strength of the skyscraper’s toughened glass by hurling himself at it. He had done this test many times in the past and would simply bounce off, unharmed.

 However, when he attempted it on 9th July 1993 it ended disastrously. The glass pane popped out of its frame (although it did not shatter until it hit the ground), and Mr Hoy fell 24 floors down to the bottom, dying instantly.

This would lead to the firm he worked for closing just three years later, unable to recover from Mr Hoy’s death as they lost over 30 legal partners and allegedly failed to pay bills and compensation.