The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-08-11
IMMENSE TELESCOPE LENS.
Two Years Required by It's Maker, an
Inventive Minister, to
Complete It.

The great rejecting telescope lens,
fYe feet two inches In diameter and SIS
inches In thickness. completed By the
late Dr. John Peate, IN 1898. IS soon to
be mounted. Al observatory with all
modern appliances will be butt FOR Il
az the American university al Wash
ington. The mounting OF this lens and
the building Of the observatory viii
cost 100000 and Is made possible by
the gift of philanthropic Pennsylyan-
ian, reports the New York Times
Two years were required 10 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 a minister of
the Gospel The Rev John Peate died
about year ago at his home In Green
vile, Pa. DR.. Peate was 75 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 Ame lenses of small size
II was soon 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
C'a, one % inches In diameter Is owned
at fhlel college in Greenville. The larg-
est one made prior to the wonderful
62-inch lense was one 3Oh inches in
diameter
Az 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. II 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 DIR. Peate's home. at Greenyille. DR..
Peate here made an enormous grinder,
which is said 10 have been the irss OF
its kind used In making a lens for a
telescope. This shop became a Mecca
for scienilhc men. even from a great
distance. and DR. Peate became proml-
nent among the scientific societies OF
Europe and a member OF the Astro-
nomical Association OF London.
When the great lens was completed
II was tested in several ways before be-
ing sent to Washington. A hundred
yards distant from Il In field a dial
the size OF the face Of a watch was
placed. and a 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
maenihed this dial 10000 dlameters
and every part of Il was prominent
from the distance mentioned.
Tho big lens was completed in 1893
and is said 20 be The largest In the
world After being cast II weighed
about a ton. and wifen llnishod about
] 5aa pounds The task Of .pollshine
alone required nearly three months
When Dr peaie first talked of making
for the American university a lens Of
the dimensions Of this one there we're
celebrated opticians who asserted tha.
It never could be done and that a glass
eurh ae neeaea eouIa not he essf