Achromatic Lens

Achromatic Lens

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Description
After the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, American leaders realized that the best optical instruments came from German shops. Thus, to obtain the spy glasses, binoculars, range finders, and other optical instruments needed by its fighting forces, they commandeered the resources of private optical and instrument shops. And they authorized the establishment of a new optical shop at the Washington Navy Yard. That facility, later termed the Naval Weapons Plant Optical Shop, gave this achromatic lens to the Smithsonian in 1961.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
achromat lens
Measurements
overall: 1 in x 2 1/2 in; 2.54 cm x 6.35 cm
ID Number
PH.319379
catalog number
319379
accession number
237036
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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