The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-08-19
IMMENSE TELESCOPE LENS.
Two Years Required by Its Maker, an
Inventive Minister, to
Complete It.

The great rejecting telescope lens,
five feet two inches in diameter and 5as
inches in thickness, completed by the
late DR.. John Peate, in 1898, is soon to
be mounted. An observatory with all
modern appliances will be built for it
at the American university at Wash
ington. The mounting of this lens and
the building of the observatory will
cost 100000, and is made possible by
the gift of philanthropic Pennsylvan-
ian, reports the New York Times
Two years were required to make
this great lens. Its maker was preach
er remarkable for his inventive genius.
Many important inventions of the pres
ent have been the work Of ministers.
One of the most successful lifeboats
used by the United States life saving
service was invented by minister of
the Gospel. The Rev. John Peate died
about a year ago at his home in Green
vile, Pa. DR.. Peate was Is years OF
age before he began the making OF
lenses and the study of astronomy aft
er his advanced years had caused him
to give up active pastoral duties.
At first DR.. Peate began the study of
the methods of polishing glass for as
Economical uses. Having acquired a
technical knowledge, he at once went
to work upon some lenses of small size.
1t was soon recognized that he had the
requisite skill to accomplish great
things in this line. In all he completed
16 mirrors of various sizes before the
end of his days. One of these is In In
dia, one % inches in diameter is owned
at Thiel college in Greenville. The larg-
est one made prior to the wonderful
62-inch tense was one 301a inches in
diameter.
At first it was difficult to find glass
mandatory that would cast the g.
inch lens. Finally the attempt was
made at Butler, Pa. Five times, 1t Is
said, the molten glass had to be poured
into the great mold before the result
was pronounced perfect. When the
portion of the work to be done at But
Ter was completed the lens was taken
to DR.. Peate's home, at Greenville. DR..
Peate here made an enormous grinder,
which is said to have been the first of
it's kind used in making lens for a
telescope This shop became a Mecca
for scientific men, even from a great
distance, and DR.. Peate became promi-
nent among the scientific societies OF
Europe and a member of the Astro-
nomical Association of London.
When the great lens was completed
1t was tested in several ways before be-
ing sent to Washington. A hundred
yards distant from it in field dial
the size of the face of watch was
placed, and word was written with a
lead pencil upon the face. A small pin
occupied the center of the dial, and a
hair was used for a hand. The lens
magnified this dial 10000 diameters
and every part of it was prominent
from the distance mentioned.
The big lens was completed in 1898
and is said to be the largest in the
world. After being cast it weighed
about a ton, and when finished about
1900 pounds. The task of polishing
alone required nearly three months
When Dr. Peate first talked Of making
for the American university lens OF
the dimensions of this one there were
celebrated opticians who asserted that
it never could be done and that glass
such as needed could not be cast.