An old Polish proverb uses the “plaiting a whip of sand” parallel to picture a highly improbable venture; something, which simply cannot succeed. And since the early optical fibers were indeed made of quartz glass, it appears to be the most appropriate description of the fates of optical fiber technology in Poland. It was developed independently by Polish scientists in the mid 1970s, what placed the country alongside such pioneers of that optical fibers as France and Japan. Needless to say, Poland was the first among COMECON countries to posses such technology. For a number of reasons the news of such an achievement should be regarded as advantageous. The commonwealth of socialist countries gained access to the technology of potentially great strategic importance, crucial in the development of computer and communications technologies. But in centrally controlled, which pushed toward the economic integration of the socialist countries in spite of individual, sometimes contradictory interests, it could also mean troubles and discontented partners. Specialization of production, so highly esteemed in COMECON, did not assigned telecommunication equipment to be produced by Poles, at least to that extent they could think of in the case of optic fibers. "Fortunately" for the status quo, Poland was not able to launch production as a result of internal difficulties, namely the rivalry and misunderstandings between people and institutions. The paper gives a critical view on the very unique case, when independently developed modern technology caused more trouble that profit to the licensing-orientated economy.