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Optics Collection

Background imageOptics Collection: Letter from Sir Issac Newton to William Briggs, 20th June 1682. Artist: Isaac Newton

Letter from Sir Issac Newton to William Briggs, 20th June 1682. Artist: Isaac Newton
Letter from Sir Issac Newton to William Briggs, 20th June 1682

Background imageOptics Collection: William Herschels reflecting telescope of 40 ft (12 m) focal length, 1789 (1807)

William Herschels reflecting telescope of 40 ft (12 m) focal length, 1789 (1807)

Background imageOptics Collection: Sir David Brewster, about 1854-1859. Creator: Maull & Polyblank

Sir David Brewster, about 1854-1859. Creator: Maull & Polyblank
Sir David Brewster, about 1854-1859. Additional Info: Portrait of Sir David Brester, seated at a writing desk

Background imageOptics Collection: A Teenage Boy and Girl with a Viewer for an Optique Picture (Nozoki-karakuri); Kobo Da

A Teenage Boy and Girl with a Viewer for an Optique Picture (Nozoki-karakuri); Kobo Daishis Poem on the Jewel River of Koya (Koya no Tamagawa: Kobo Daishi), ca. 1788

Background imageOptics Collection: 'Newton Investigating Light

"Newton Investigating Light, " by J. A. Houston, R.S.A. 1870

Background imageOptics Collection: I. Newton, (1642-1727), 1830. Creator: Unknown

I. Newton, (1642-1727), 1830. Creator: Unknown
I. Newton, (1642-1727), 1830. Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, and author, educated at Trinity College, Cambridge

Background imageOptics Collection: South Staffordshire Industrial Exhibition at Wolverhampton, 1869. Creator: Unknown

South Staffordshire Industrial Exhibition at Wolverhampton, 1869. Creator: Unknown
South Staffordshire Industrial and Fine-Arts Exhibition in the grounds of Molineux House at Wolverhampton, 1869. The architect and designer of the decorations is Mr

Background imageOptics Collection: Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932

Background imageOptics Collection: Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932

Background imageOptics Collection: Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt

Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt
Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopedie, 1762/77

Background imageOptics Collection: Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt

Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt
Design: Camera Obscura, from Encyclopedie, 1762/77

Background imageOptics Collection: Stereoopticon, c. 1937. Creator: William Spiecker

Stereoopticon, c. 1937. Creator: William Spiecker
Stereooptician, c. 1937

Background imageOptics Collection: Moritz Hermann von Jacobis Telegraph, 1843. Creator: Historic Object

Moritz Hermann von Jacobis Telegraph, 1843. Creator: Historic Object
Moritz Hermann von Jacobis Telegraph, 1843. Found in the collection of State Central Railway Museum, St. Petersburg

Background imageOptics Collection: Portrait of Moritz Hermann von Jacobi (1801-1874), 1837. Creator: Hau, Eduard (1807-1887)

Portrait of Moritz Hermann von Jacobi (1801-1874), 1837. Creator: Hau, Eduard (1807-1887)
Portrait of Moritz Hermann von Jacobi (1801-1874), 1837. Private Collection

Background imageOptics Collection: Huygens, (1629-1695), 1830. Creator: Unknown

Huygens, (1629-1695), 1830. Creator: Unknown
Huygens, (1629-1695), 1830. Christiaan Huygens or Huyghens (1629-1695) Dutch physicist, mathematician, astronomer and inventor who made contributions to optics, mechanics and astronomy

Background imageOptics Collection: Camera obscura. From Encyclopedie by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d Alembert, 1751-1765

Camera obscura. From Encyclopedie by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d Alembert, 1751-1765. Private Collection

Background imageOptics Collection: Ars magna lucis et umbrae, 1646. Creator: Kircher, Athanasius (1602-1680)

Ars magna lucis et umbrae, 1646. Creator: Kircher, Athanasius (1602-1680)
Ars magna lucis et umbrae, 1646. Private Collection

Background imageOptics Collection: Comparative depiction of the human eye and the camera obscura

Comparative depiction of the human eye and the camera obscura, 18th century. Private Collection

Background imageOptics Collection: Hans Jansen and his son Sacharias, c1870. Artist: H Sluyter

Hans Jansen and his son Sacharias, c1870. Artist: H Sluyter
Hans Jansen and his son Sacharias, c1870

Background imageOptics Collection: Microscope made by C Reichert, Vienna, 1895. Artist: C Reichert

Microscope made by C Reichert, Vienna, 1895. Artist: C Reichert
Microscope made by C Reichert, Vienna, 1895. The microscope featured objectives of different powers which could be turned into viewing position as required

Background imageOptics Collection: Camera obscura, 1855

Camera obscura, 1855. Drawing a landscape using a portable camera obscura in the form of a tent. From The Museum of Science and Art by Dionysius Lardner. (London, 1855)

Background imageOptics Collection: Technician installing eye-glasses in helmet. Creator: NASA

Technician installing eye-glasses in helmet. Creator: NASA
Technician installing eye-glasses in helmet

Background imageOptics Collection: Polyorama Panoptique, c1851

Polyorama Panoptique, c1851. Box with expanding bellows, a lens, a shutter and a set of slides that can be inserted

Background imageOptics Collection: Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727), English mathematician, astronomer and physicist, 1924

Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727), English mathematician, astronomer and physicist, 1924
Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727), English mathematician, astronomer and physicist, 19th century. Newtons discoveries were prolific and exerted a huge influence on science and thought

Background imageOptics Collection: Thomsons Lantern, 19th century(?)

Thomsons Lantern, 19th century(?)

Background imageOptics Collection: Christiaan Huygens, 17th century Dutch mathematician

Christiaan Huygens, 17th century Dutch mathematician, astronomer and physicist, c1870. Huygens (1629-1695) made important contributions in several scientific fields

Background imageOptics Collection: Optical studies, late 15th or early 16th century (1954). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci

Optical studies, late 15th or early 16th century (1954). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Optical studies, late 15th or early 16th century (1954). Ms. C, 22r. A print from Leonardo da Vinci by Ludwig H Heydenreich. (London, 1954)

Background imageOptics Collection: Reflections of the sun on water

Reflections of the sun on water, late 15th or early 16th century (1954). Codex Atlanticus, 208v-b. A print from Leonardo da Vinci by Ludwig H Heydenreich. (London, 1954)

Background imageOptics Collection: A letter from Isaac Newton, and a view of his birthplace at Woolsthorpe

A letter from Isaac Newton, and a view of his birthplace at Woolsthorpe
A letter from Sir Isaac Newton, and a view of his birthplace at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, 1682, (1840)

Background imageOptics Collection: Roger Bacon, 13th century English Franciscan friar and philosopher, (c1850)

Roger Bacon, 13th century English Franciscan friar and philosopher, (c1850)

Background imageOptics Collection: The Spectacles Seller, Eyesight (from the series The Five Senses )

The Spectacles Seller, Eyesight (from the series The Five Senses ), 17th century. Found in the collection of the State Art Museum, Tula, Russia

Background imageOptics Collection: Sir David Brewster, 19th century Scottish scientist, inventor and writer. Artist: DJ Pound

Sir David Brewster, 19th century Scottish scientist, inventor and writer. Artist: DJ Pound
Sir David Brewster, 19th century Scottish scientist, inventor and writer

Background imageOptics Collection: Descartes idea of the hydraulic action of the nerves, 1692

Descartes idea of the hydraulic action of the nerves, 1692

Background imageOptics Collection: David Brewster, Scottish physicist, 1868

David Brewster, Scottish physicist, 1868. Brewster (1781-1868) was editor of the Edinburgh Magazine, 1802 and the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, 1808. His scientific work was mainly in the field of optics

Background imageOptics Collection: Galileo demonstrating his telescope, Venice, 1609 (1870)

Galileo demonstrating his telescope, Venice, 1609 (1870)

Background imageOptics Collection: Microscopes and microscopical objects, 1750

Microscopes and microscopical objects, 1750. I: Wilsons pocket microscope. II: Scroll microscope. III: Tripod microscope - improved form of Marshalls double microscope

Background imageOptics Collection: Universal joint invented by Robert Hooke, 1676

Universal joint invented by Robert Hooke, 1676. Hooke (1635-1703) devised this joint to allow directional movement of astronomical instruments. From A Description of Helioscopes by Robert Hooke

Background imageOptics Collection: Newtons experiment splitting white light into the colours of the spectrum by a prism, 1757

Newtons experiment splitting white light into the colours of the spectrum by a prism, 1757
Newtons experiment showing how white light is refracted by a prism and split into the colours of the spectrum, 1757

Background imageOptics Collection: Optical phenomena observed and described by Sir Isaac Newton, 1704

Optical phenomena observed and described by Sir Isaac Newton, 1704

Background imageOptics Collection: William Wollastons reflecting goniometer for measuring the angles of crystals, 1874

William Wollastons reflecting goniometer for measuring the angles of crystals, 1874. William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828) was a notable English chemist who researched into both chemistry and optics

Background imageOptics Collection: Plate measuring microscope, 1895

Plate measuring microscope, 1895. A woman measuring star positions on a photographic plate during the compilation of the Carte du Ciel at the Paris Observatory

Background imageOptics Collection: Light, c1850

Light, c1850. Educational plate showing reflection and refraction, light travelling in straight lines, a burning mirror (13) and Newtons prism experiment (27). (Wurtemberg, Germany c1850)

Background imageOptics Collection: Hans Lippershey, Dutch optician credited with the discovery of the telescope, 1655

Hans Lippershey, Dutch optician credited with the discovery of the telescope, 1655

Background imageOptics Collection: Discovery of the principle of the telescope, 17th century (1863)

Discovery of the principle of the telescope, 17th century (1863)

Background imageOptics Collection: Sir David Brewster, Scottish physicist, 1800s. Artist: William Holl

Sir David Brewster, Scottish physicist, 1800s. Artist: William Holl
Sir David Brewster, Scottish physicist, 1800s. Brewster is chiefly remembered for his lifelong investigations into optics

Background imageOptics Collection: John Dollond, optician, c1750. Artist: Posselwhite

John Dollond, optician, c1750. Artist: Posselwhite
John Dollond, optician, c1750. Pictured with a book with an overhanging leaf with ther word Opticks on it. Dolland became known for his invention of the achromatic lens

Background imageOptics Collection: Joseph Jackson Lister, English wine merchant and amateur microscopist

Joseph Jackson Lister, English wine merchant and amateur microscopist, 1830s. Photographed with a microscope

Background imageOptics Collection: Archimedes Burning Mirror, device used at the Siege of Syracuse, 215-212 BC (1642)

Archimedes Burning Mirror, device used at the Siege of Syracuse, 215-212 BC (1642)

Background imageOptics Collection: Experiment showing that prismatic colours cannot be split further, 1747

Experiment showing that prismatic colours cannot be split further, 1747

Background imageOptics Collection: Isaac Newtons prism experiment showing how sunlight is split into its separate colours

Isaac Newtons prism experiment showing how sunlight is split into its separate colours, 1747

Background imageOptics Collection: Plate showing diagram of the optics of a reflecting telescope (Fig 29), 1704

Plate showing diagram of the optics of a reflecting telescope (Fig 29), 1704

Background imageOptics Collection: The Hubble Space Telescope orbiting the Earth, c1990s

The Hubble Space Telescope orbiting the Earth, c1990s

Background imageOptics Collection: Microscope by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch, c1670

Microscope by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch, c1670

Background imageOptics Collection: Where Ignorance is Bliss, 1868. Artist: George Du Maurier

Where Ignorance is Bliss, 1868. Artist: George Du Maurier
Where Ignorance is Bliss, 1868. Invasion of privacy by a seaside camera obscura (left)

Background imageOptics Collection: Camera obscura, c1840

Camera obscura, c1840

Background imageOptics Collection: Seaside visitors paying a visit to the camera obscura, 1862

Seaside visitors paying a visit to the camera obscura, 1862

Background imageOptics Collection: Isaac Newton, English scientist and mathematician, (1666) 1874

Isaac Newton, English scientist and mathematician, (1666) 1874

Background imageOptics Collection: Plate from Opticks, by Isaac Newton, showing the splitting of light through prisms, 1704

Plate from Opticks, by Isaac Newton, showing the splitting of light through prisms, 1704

Background imageOptics Collection: Isaac Newtons reflecting telescope, 1668. Artist: Isaac Newton

Isaac Newtons reflecting telescope, 1668. Artist: Isaac Newton
Isaac Newtons reflecting telescope, 1668. Isaac Newton (1642-1727), English scientist and mathematician built the first ever reflecting telescope in 1668

Background imageOptics Collection: Newton Investigating Light, c1879

Newton Investigating Light, c1879. English scientist and mathematician Isaac Newtons (1642-1727) discoveries were prolific and exerted a huge influence on science and thought

Background imageOptics Collection: Title page of Opticks by English scientist and mathematician Isaac Newton, 1794

Title page of Opticks by English scientist and mathematician Isaac Newton, 1794. Newtons (1642-1727) discoveries were prolific and exerted a huge influence on science and thought

Background imageOptics Collection: Christiaan Huygens, Dutch physicist, mathematician and astronomer, 1762

Christiaan Huygens, Dutch physicist, mathematician and astronomer, 1762. Huygens made important contributions in several scientific fields

Background imageOptics Collection: Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), Dutch physicist, mathematician and astronomer, c1870

Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), Dutch physicist, mathematician and astronomer, c1870. Huygens made important contributions in several scientific fields

Background imageOptics Collection: Refracting telescope without a tube, designed by Christiaan Huyghens c1650 (1724)

Refracting telescope without a tube, designed by Christiaan Huyghens c1650 (1724). From an edition of Huyghens Opera Varia, 1724

Background imageOptics Collection: Ezekiels vision of a chariot in the sky and a hand in the clouds holding out a book to him

Ezekiels vision of a chariot in the sky and a hand in the clouds holding out a book to him, 1804. Ezekiel was one of the four great Hebrew prophets

Background imageOptics Collection: Ezekiels vision of chariot in sky, c614 BC

Ezekiels vision of chariot in sky, c614 BC
Ezekiels vision of chariot in sky c614 BC. Ezekiel was one of the four great Hebrew prophets

Background imageOptics Collection: William Herschels reflecting telescope with focal length of 40 feet, Slough, England, 1809

William Herschels reflecting telescope with focal length of 40 feet, Slough, England, 1809

Background imageOptics Collection: Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), Dutch microscopist, c1810. Artist: John Chapman

Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), Dutch microscopist, c1810. Artist: John Chapman
Anton van Leewenhoek (1632-1723) Dutch microscopist, c1810

Background imageOptics Collection: Anatomy of the eye, 1572

Anatomy of the eye, 1572. Illustration showing the structure of the eye from an edition of Optica thesaurus a work on optics by the Arab mathematician Alhazen (Abu Ali al-Hasan Ibn Alhasan)

Background imageOptics Collection: Ernst Abbe (1840-1905), German physicist

Ernst Abbe (1840-1905), German physicist. Abbe conducted research in the field of optics. He was a partner in the famous firm Carl Zeiss of Jena, manufacturers of lenses

Background imageOptics Collection: Observing a solar eclipse, 1673

Observing a solar eclipse, 1673. Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687), a wealthy Polish brewer and councillor of Danzig, devoted much time and money to astronomy

Background imageOptics Collection: Galileo presenting his telescope to the Muses, 1655-56

Galileo presenting his telescope to the Muses, 1655-56
Galileo presenting his telescope to the Muses, and pointing out a heliocentric system. Note Jupiter and its satellites, the phases of Venus, and the triple nature of Saturn

Background imageOptics Collection: Spectroscope, 1872

Spectroscope, 1872. Instrument of the type developed by Robert Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887) during the 1850s

Background imageOptics Collection: Thomas Young, English physician, physicist and Egyptologist, 1881

Thomas Young, English physician, physicist and Egyptologist, 1881


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