Fresnel Lighthouse Lens

Object Details

inventor

Fresnel, Augustin Jean

Description

In the early nineteenth century, lighthouses in the United States were considered inferior to those in France and England. American mariners complained about the quality of the light emanating from local lighthouse towers, arguing that European lighthouses were more effective at shining bright beams of light over long distances. While American lighthouses relied on lamps and mirrors to direct mariners, European lighthouses were equipped with compact lenses that could shine for miles.

In 1822, French scientist Augustin-Jean Fresnel was studying optics and light waves. He discovered that by arranging a series of lenses and prisms into the shape of a beehive, the strength of lighthouse beams could be improved. His lens—known as the Fresnel lens—diffused light into beams that could be visible for miles. Fresnel designed his lenses in several different sizes, or orders. The first order lens, meant for use in coastal lighthouses, was the largest and the strongest lens. The sixth order lens was the smallest, designed for use in small harbors and ports.

By the 1860s, all of the lighthouses in the United States were fitted with Fresnel lenses. This lens came from a lighthouse on Bolivar Point, near Galveston, Texas. Galveston was the largest and busiest port in nineteenth-century Texas. Having a lighthouse here was imperative – the mouth of the bay provided entry to Houston and Texas City, as well as inland waterways. The Bolivar Point Light Station had second and third order Fresnel lenses over the years; this third order lens was installed in 1907. Its light could be seen from 17 miles away.

On 16-17 August 1915, a severe hurricane hit Galveston. As the storm grew worse, fifty to sixty people took refuge in the Bolivar Point Light Station. Around 9:15 PM, the light’s turning mechanism broke, forcing assistant lighthouse keeper J.B. Brooks to turn the Fresnel lens by hand. By 10 PM, the vibrations from the hurricane were so violent that Brooks began to worry the lens might shatter. He ceased turning the lens, trimmed the lamp wicks and worked to maintain a steady light through the night. The next morning, Brooks left the lighthouse to find Bolivar Point nearly swept away by the water.

Bolivar Point Light Station used this Fresnel lens until 1933. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by the National Park Service.

Credit Line

Transfer from U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center (through David H. Wallace)

1822

late 1800s

all United States lighthouses outfitted with Fresnel lenses

1860s

lens used during a severe hurricane at Bolivar Point

1917-08-16 - 1917-08-17

donated to Smithsonian

1933

ID Number

TR.335567

catalog number

335567

accession number

1977.0626

Object Name

lens-clockwork, lighthouse

Physical Description

glass (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 69 in x 48 in; 175.26 cm x 121.92 cm

used

United States: Texas, Port Bolivar

Associated Place

United States: Texas, Port Bolivar

Related Publication

On the Water online exhibition

Related Web Publication

http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater

See more items in

Work and Industry: Maritime

Engineering, Building, and Architecture

Work

Science & Mathematics

Transportation

On the Water exhibit

Exhibition

On the Water

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

related event

The Development of the Industrial United States

Record ID

nmah_844143

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-9eae-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa