The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-14
LARGEST LENS Is NOW READY
American Made Glass Will Soon be In tho
Telescope.

| Washington, Aug. 13.-The American
University in this city is celebrating this
| week the completion Of the largest re-
| f1ecting telescope lens in the world. This
| remarkable scientific achievement is the
work OF DR.. John Peate, a retired Meth
odist Episcopal minister Of GreenvilIe,
Pa.
Dr.. Peate contracted to deliver the
glass to the university next week, but as
its removal requires the utmost care, it
may be three weeks before the glass Is
safe in the observatory.
Ii was IN July, 1895, that the directors
of the American university began nego-
tiations with Dr. Peate for the construc-
ton OF such a glass.
do you think You will be able to do
it ?" was asked
DR.. Peate reflected on the expense that
would be incurred in such an undertake
ing. He concluded to make the ven-
ture provided all his expenses were guar
anteed. On the other hand, he would
charge nothing for his labor The uni
versity trustees entered heartily into the
agreement.
When will you have the glass ready?"
was asked.
I'm two years" DR.. Peate replied.
The glass was completed N exactly
two years 10 the hour after the contract
was made.
Another fact. not less interesting about
the Peate lens, is that It is wholly an
example Of American industry and inge-
nuity. 1t is the first large lens ever cast
by an American manufacturer. The
Standard Plate Glass Works, OF Butler.
Pa. hold the honor OF moulding II.
Hitherto all glasses of considerable size
have been manufactured in St. Grobin.
France. Dr.. Peate. however believed
that americans were as capable OF turn
ing out this kind of work as foreigners
and he set about 70 find a plant hat
mad the capacity 70 do the work. Il,
was more difficult task than ne had
anticipated. All the great manufactur-
ers whom he approached scoffei at the
idea o. performing such feat. II could
not possibly be accomplished. they said.
and no sane person would undertake
L. Dr.. Peate was no: discouraged. and
finally succeeded in interesting the STAN
da-d people. They considered the matter
thoroughly and wrote DR.. Peate that
they would make the attempt. although
there were ninety-nine chances 70 one
that they would fail 1--WE wifi make
SIX casts" they said. and no more.
Four casts were made and all proved
failures The least flaw made the siaxs
useless. The sixth cast. which was made
under The supervision % the company's
foreman, DE- Peate. and several ether
persons interested. proved % be a sue
cess. The glass was es clear a. crystal
ana without defect. The glass was trans
ported 70 the newly butt workshop 81
d.. Peate in G-eelvii.e. and n. work
OF finishing Il began.
The workshop where DR. Psa;e Iabore.
50 many hours. was erected BY the Amer
lean university. IN Il are arranged a
hundred or more mechanical devices nee
essary in treating the glass. It was
here that the work o. reducing the glass
began d.. Peate's devices FOR grinding
and polishing the great glass are nearly
su inventions % his OWL The i'm
nlsnse iron polisher is an instrument: Of
particular interest. and is said 70 be So
perlor 70 any now in use.
TIE little shoD is a uniora structnre.