IT SOUNDS all wrong—drilling holes in a piece of wood to make it more
resistant to knocks. But it works because the energy from the blow gets
distributed throughout the wood rather than focusing on one weak spot. The
discovery should lead to more effective and lighter packaging materials.
Carpenters have known for centuries that some woods are tougher than others.
Hickory, for example, was turned into axe handles and cartwheel spokes because
it can absorb shocks without breaking. White oak, on the other hand, is much
more easily damaged, although it is almost as dense. …