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Science

Bulletproof whiteboard created to protect teachers and students from shooters

By Ben Coxworth
January 25, 2013
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Hardwire Armor Systems' ballistic whiteboard
Hardwire Armor Systems' ballistic whiteboard

Given the horrific event that occurred last month in Newtown, Connecticut, it’s not surprising that we’re seeing a rise in products designed specifically to protect children against shootings in schools. One of the latest such devices is a bulletproof dry-erase whiteboard.

Made by Maryland-based Hardwire Armor Systems, the 18 x 20-inch (46 x 51-cm) ballistic whiteboard is made to be carried around the classroom by the teacher, who would ordinarily use it as a non-intimidating-looking teaching aid – it weighs less than four pounds (1.8 kg), and has rubberized handles on the back.

In the event of an attack, the idea is presumably that the teacher could grab the board, get between the shooter and the students, then use it to protect both themselves and the children. Its bullet-stopping capabilities come thanks to Dyneema, a polyethylene-based material developed by the company. The board is reportedly capable of absorbing multiple clips of ammunition from point-blank range without ricochet or injury, as can be seen in the video below.

The ballistic whiteboard is available via the Hardwire website, for US$299. A smaller bulletproof clipboard is additionally available for $109 – IMPACT Armor Technologies also makes one, although it’s intended more for use by police forces.

Source: Hardwire Armor Systems via USA Today

Tags

ScienceArmorProtectionChildrenCrimeSchoolBulletproof
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
12 comments
Tom Hirschmann
These products are ridiculous and just simply won't be used.... why not just but steel doors with decent locks in schools. Someone goes nuts, lock down the class rooms. Then teachers don't need to rip bullet-proof dry erase boards off the wall to stop would-be intruders....
BeWalt
Approved, yeah. Get one per child and per teacher, for every classroom.
Just one last demo please, with live ammo and some guy trying to do what a guy with a gun would do to get at someone who's holding up one of these.
Bob Ehresman
Impressive material, ridiculous application. This stuff might be more useful as a window shade or shutter.
Very frankly as a personal shield what it needs is a small gun safe with a Glock 26 inside on the back of it so the poor teacher can be prepared to return fire. That would up her and her students chances of survival considerably.
Rann Xeroxx
Allow teachers to be armed with handguns coded to them (so as to keep kids from getting and using them). Heck, at least arm them with tasers.
Observer101
I prefer the idea of "hardening" all schools exteriors, and creating a "no escape" zone/s within the schools, that can be controlled from a "control room". Then if a "shooter" gets in he/she would be LOCKED IN the "no escape zone", where debilitating sounds can be used to disarm him/her. This "white board" concept is foolish....
Takis
Might work against 9mm pistol rounds (if someone remembered to pick it up in time) but I really doubt it would be effective against a .223 caliber/ 5/56mm AR-15 round which would likely go right through it with plenty of residual energy to spare, just like these loads do through the front and back of a Kevlar helmet.
Nelson
As society continues its downward spiral violence will just get worse and worse. I wonder at what point we will be spending more to protect children than instruct them? In America are are many states that now spend more on prisons than schools.
solutions4circuits
The shrapnel coming off this thing (I doubt it fully absorbs a round) will take out three or four kids instead of one. And if the round ricochets, intact, it's still deadly elsewhere.
Genius.
Alan Belardinelli
er...yeah. The thing is that the person who initiates the shooting is not likely to have a hand gun but an assault rifle as their weapon of choice. Plus, lot of the time these psychos are coming in with a ballistic vest that may even have trauma plates slotted, so good luck to your hapless teacher outfitted with a white board and a p92 or whatever. The shooter's 5.56 or 7.62 rounds rounds are likely to sail right through a white board...armored or not.
kalqlate
Hahaha.... I lol'd sooo hard at the title before coming to the full article. Oh, yeah... this idea is definitely up for one of the dumbest ideas of all time award.
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