CONCERNING THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAKEST BOTTLES* Applicability of the “Normal” Curve of Errors to Statistical Analyses of Strength Tests of Glassware

A bstract The ordinary “theory of errors,” which assumes a “normal distribution” of the errors, is often applied to situations where it can not theoretically apply. In particular it has been applied to the strength of glass and glassware. While theoretically the theory is wrong, there is no entirely satisfactory theory available to replace it, and the question arises how far it can be used with advantage and exactly what are its limitations. It is necessary to answer these questions by direct experiment, i.e. , by breaking a lot of glassware.