The Nonic Pint Glass

Photo by Frank Luca

Perhaps you have wondered as I have why the pictured beer glass is called a Nonic ("No-Nick") Pint Glass. One source states that the name comes from the Nonik Glassware Company and the design was patented in 1913. The design is quite practical since the bulge in the upper part of the glass aids the beer drinker to get a good grip on the vessel when there is a lot of condensation on its surface. The "bulge" also is a means to protect the glass from other glasses when stacking them. An apparently simple yet ingenious idea.