Intriguing article. The pattern is compelling, that perhaps there is something in the human condition that is attracted to the idea 'i'm made of this newly arrived magical stuff, and you can't prove otherwise'. New generations get to choose new stuff.<p>I'm reminded of Goethe's description of an athiest as a person with 'no invisible means of support'.<p>As I was reading, I was hoping to find an aside about the role of lead in glass production, but I suppose that'd be a distraction.