Texas Tech engineering students are testing out Building Blox, cinderblock-style construction materials that are basically bulletproof papier mache.
The blocks are made from a slurry of recycled newspapers, phone books, and lottery tickets, but they're twice as strong as cinderblocks despite weighing a third as much. They also improve a home's energy efficiency by insulating better than cinderblocks — not to mention being fire-resistant and strong enough to absorb the energy from a bullet. Who knew paper houses could be so badass? Someone go tell the three little pigs!
