Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Fresnel Lens

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

The Fresnel Lens was invented by the Frenchman Augustine Fresnel in 1822.  Using curved panes of glass, the lens was able to concentrate the light from a single source and project that light much farther than a simple pane of glass.  The lenses came in various sizes, designated as "orders" with a "1st Order" being the largest down to a "7th Order".  This particular Fresnel Lens is a "4th Order" lens weighing between 400 and 600 lbs.  It is capable of projecting a beam of light 15 miles.

1 comment:

  1. Fine fresnel lens photo. I've always been intrigued by these lenses.

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