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On the History, Presence, and Future of Optics Manufacturing | JoVE Visualize

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On the History, Presence, and Future of Optics Manufacturing

Christoph Gerhard¹

¹Faculty of Engineering and Health, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Von-Ossietzky-Straße 99, 37085 Göttingen, Germany.

Micromachines|July 2, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

The ancient Nimrud lens, discovered in 1850, is a simple optical lens approximately 3000 years old. This artifact offers insights into early optical technology and craftsmanship.

Area of Science:

Archaeology
History of Science
Optics

Background:

The Nimrud lens, unearthed in 1850 by Austen Henry Layard in Nimrud, Iraq, is an approximately 3000-year-old optical artifact.
This artifact provides a tangible link to ancient optical understanding and potential applications.

Discussion:

The lens's composition and craftsmanship suggest sophisticated techniques for its era.
Its discovery challenges conventional timelines for the development of optical instruments.

Key Insights:

The Nimrud lens is one of the earliest known examples of a convex lens.
It demonstrates advanced knowledge of optics in ancient Assyria.

Outlook:

Further analysis of the Nimrud lens could reveal more about ancient optical practices.
Comparative studies with other ancient artifacts may illuminate the broader history of optics.

Materials Engineering

Materials Engineering Not Elsewhere Classified

On The History, Presence, And Future Of Optics Manufacturing