The humble Thermos. Generically known as a vacuum flask, it’s been around for well over a century, accompanying some of the most famous expeditions in the world—Shackleton at the South Pole, Roosevelt in the Belgian Congo, even the Wright Brothers during an early flight. Soldiers have carried the Thermos into battle, while doctors use it to transport plasma, insulin, and other substances. Its vacuum-sealed design has been applied in research across a number of scientific fields. Not bad for an insulated vessel best known for carrying mom’s homemade soup to school or filling with hot chocolate for an autumn hayride....
