The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-08-18
IMMENsE TELESCOPE LENS.
Two Years Required by It's Maker, an
Inventive Minister, to
Complete 1t.


The great rejecting telescope lens
Eve feet two inches in diameter and SIS
inches In thickness. completed by the
late DR. John Peate, in 1898, is soon to
be mounted An observatory with all
modern appliances viii be built for Il
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 philanthropio Pennsylvan-
ian, reports the New York Times
Two years we're required TO make
this great lens It's 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 a minister OF
the Gospel The Rev John peate died
about a year ago at his home in Green
vile, Pa Or. Peate was 20 years OF
age before he began the making Of
lenses and me study Of astronomy aft
er his adva,.eed years had caused him
TO give up active pastoral duties.
AZ 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
10 work upon some lenses Of small size.
II was socn recognized that he had the
requisite skill to accomplish great
things in this line, In all he completed
l6 mirrors OF various sizes before the
end Of HIS days One OF these Is In In
Ga, one % inches in diameter is owned
at rhiel college in Greenyl.le. The larg-
est one made prior 10 the wonderful
G2 2lneh lense was one 30is inches in
diameter.
At FIRST Il was difficult to find a glass
mandatory that would cast the g.
inch lens Finally the attempt was
made at Butler Pa. Five times, Il 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 al But
Ter was completed the lens was taken
20 Or Peate's home. al GreenvIlle Or
Peate here made an enormous grinder,
which is said 70 have been the iirsN Of
its kind used In making lens for
telescope. This shop became a Mecca
for scientific men, even from a great
distance, and DR. Peate became proml-
nent among the scientific societies OF
Europe and a member OF the Astro-
nOmlcal Association OF London.
When the great lens was completed
Il was tested In several ways before be-
ing sent to Washington. A hundred
yards distant from Il in a field dial
the size OF the. face OF watch was
placed. and a word was written with
lead pencil upon the face. A small pin
occupied the center OF the dial and
hair was used for hand The lens
magnified this dial 10000 dlameters.
and every part OF Il 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 hrsi talked Of making
for the American university a lens of
tho dimensions of thia one there we're
celebrated opticians who asserted that
4 never could be done and hat a glass
such ne needed could not be east