You report that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered how the structure of a snail's shell absorbs and dissipates impacts (23 January, p 17). They are then quoted as saying this could allow us to improve body armour - a comment I find particularly sad. I can think of lots of ways this discovery could be used to help make life better: improved car bodies that protect us from accidents, damage-absorbing cases for laptops and other electronic devices, or better bicycle helmets.