We interrupt this memoir to announce that Amazon has just introduced a new feature, an AI shopping assistant they have named Rufus. Rufus is “a new generative AI-powered conversational shopping experience.”
It is late on a Sunday night and I am extending my evening by not going to sleep on time, which I routinely do these days. I could actually use quite a bit more sleep, and the result is usually my sleeping past a normal eight am wake time or feeling tired all day. Nevertheless, it’s when all of those nagging questions that have been bothering me all day come home to roost and one by one I address them by asking the internet.
Tonight, I am thinking about the relative heaviness of our Ikea dinner dishes, and the fact that some are chipped. When my husband and I were first married, my mother gave us a set of Corelle dishes. Nearly all have since disappeared, in the twenty-seven years we’ve been married and across several house moves, but there is still one bowl that is randomly in amongst the other dishes. Dishing up dinner tonight, I grab it, and remark—mentally—on how nice it is to hold in the hand, a lighter, thinner, nearly unbreakable material. And so again, as I do periodically, I type “Corelle dinnerware set” into Amazon to see if one that is both cute and reasonably priced pops up.
I am toggling between different patterns when I notice a small teal button that reads, Ask Rufus, and because it’s late, and because I am me, I ask it:
“Are you related to my great-grandfather? His name was Rufus.”
Rufus replies: “I’m sorry, but I’m not related to your great-grandfather.”
A message further below that reads, “Sorry, something went wrong.”
And because I am still stalling, I ask another question: “Do you know anything about ceramic engineering, Rufus?” And Rufus replies, a veritable essay a full eight paragraphs long:
“Ceramic engineering is a branch of materials science…
—Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials made from clay, sand, and other…
—Ceramic engineers study the properties of….
—Key processes in ceramic engineering include….
—Ceramic materials have a wide range of uses….
—Ceramic engineering requires expertise….
—Some important subfields of ceramic engineering include….
—Ceramic engineering continues to evolve….”
Now I ask, “What do you know about glazes, Rufus?”
“Glazes are a crucial component in ceramic engineering, used to create a decorative and protective coating on ceramic materials. Here some key things to know about ceramic glazes:
—Glazes are a liquid glass coating that is….
—Glazes contain various minerals and chemicals that determine their color, texture, and properties….
—There are two main types of glazes - glossy and matte….
—Glazes add water resistance, durability, and visual appeal….
—Applying and firing glazes requires skill and precision….
—Ceramic engineers must carefully test and experiment with glaze recipes….
—New developments in glaze technology, such as nanotechnology and digital glazing, are expanding the possibilities….
I think of this Rufus, and my Rufus. I wonder, briefly, how he’d feel about nanotechnology, digital glazing, even how he’d feel about this artificial Rufus answering questions that one hundred years ago he fought so hard to protect. But not all the answers are available to Rufus. I wonder about the “true red glaze” that both he and his son seemed to consider the “holy grail” of glazes.
I ask Rufus, “What elements are used to create a true red glaze for ceramics?” He answers:
“Creating a true red glaze for ceramics requires specific elements….
- Iron oxide - Iron oxide is the primary colorant for red glazes…. Iron oxide provides an opaque, brick red color when used in high concentrations.
- Copper oxide - Copper oxide is another essential colorant for true red glazes…. Copper oxide works well with iron oxide to create rich, dark red tones.
- Cobalt oxide - Cobalt oxide is a less common but very effective red glaze colorant. It produces a vivid, saturated red color reminiscent of roses….
- Manganese dioxide - Manganese dioxide is sometimes used to enhance the red color….
- Chrome oxide - In small amounts, chrome oxide can contribute to a rich red color in glazes. However, it is toxic and must be handled with care.
The specific combination and ratios of these elements are carefully controlled to produce the desired red hue and opacity. The clay body, firing temperature, and other glaze ingredients also impact the final color….”
The mention of toxicity invites a further inquiry from me:
“In the past, what role did cyanide play in the development of ceramic glazes?”
“Cyanide has played an important but controversial role in the development of ceramic glazes. Here is a brief overview:
- Cyanide compounds, such as potassium ferrocyanide, were first used in ceramic glazes in the late 19th century. They helped produce bright blue and green colors by reacting with iron oxide in the glaze.
- Cyanide facilitates the formation of iron cyanide complexes, which absorb certain wavelengths of light and give the vivid color. However, cyanide is toxic and dangerous to work with.
- Despite the risks, cyanide glazes were widely used in the early 20th century for decorative ceramics and porcelain. The bright colors were highly desirable for artware and dinnerware.
- However, concerns about safety led to the phase-out of cyanide glazes in many countries by the mid-20th century….
- Today, only a small percentage of ceramic artists still use cyanide-based glazes, often as a historical curiosity….
- Overall, while cyanide enable important advances in ceramic coloration, its toxicity ultimately limited its widespread use. The search for safer alternatives drove much of the innovation in ceramic chemistry over the past century.”
—End transmission—